In a year filled with sporting brilliance and youthful determination, the stage is set for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2023 award. The anticipation is high as three exceptional young athletes have made it to the final shortlist. Let’s take a closer look at these rising stars who are set to dazzle the world with their extraordinary achievements.
Mia Brookes – Snowboarding Sensation (Age: 16)
Mia Brookes, the snowboarding prodigy, has taken the world by storm. At just 16 years old, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest freestyle snowboard world champion. What’s even more impressive is that she accomplished this feat barely a month after celebrating her 16th birthday.
Mia’s remarkable journey in snowboarding began when she was just 18 months old. Fast forward to today, and she’s rewriting the history books. In her victorious slopestyle run, she executed the first Cab 1440 double grab in a women’s event, showcasing her unparalleled skills and fearlessness.
Although she was too young to compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Mia made her World Cup debut the previous October and has already secured her place on the podium multiple times. She clinched slopestyle silver in Laax in January and big air bronze in Chur in October. Her journey is nothing short of a fairy tale, and she’s grateful for the support of her family, coaches, and team.
Mia Brookes sums up her incredible year by saying, “A year ago, I’d never have believed I’d be in this position, and I’m just really grateful to everyone for supporting me along the way.”
Penny Healey – Archer Extraordinaire (Age: 18)
Penny Healey, a name that resonates with archery excellence, has had a phenomenal year. At the age of 18, she’s already achieved what many can only dream of. Inspired by the Disney film Brave, Penny started her archery journey at the age of nine, and the world has been taking notice ever since.
In April, Penny clinched European Grand Prix gold, and she didn’t stop there. Later that month, she secured her first individual World Cup title in Antalya, Turkey. This outstanding performance catapulted her to the number one spot in the world rankings, a testament to her dedication and skill.
The highlight of Penny’s year was her double gold win at the European Games, where she triumphed in both the women’s recurve team event and the individual recurve. Her individual victory also secured a quota spot for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It’s safe to say that Penny’s arrow is pointing straight to the stars.
Penny Healey expresses her feelings about the nomination, saying, “I feel honoured to have been shortlisted! It’s been a great year, and being nominated for this award on top of that makes it even better.”
Charlie McIntyre – Wheelchair Basketball Wonder (Age: 18)
Charlie McIntyre has been nothing short of phenomenal in the world of wheelchair basketball. At 18, he’s already achieved more than most athletes dream of in their entire careers. In 2023, he led the Great Britain under-22 team to victory at the Home Nations Championship, winning all three of their games and averaging an impressive 20 points per game.
But that’s not all. With the London Titans, Charlie secured the Premier Division title and was named in the EuroCup All-Star 5 team of the tournament. His summer signing with Dinamo Sassari marked the beginning of his professional career in the top division of Italian basketball.
Charlie, hailing from Essex, is absolutely thrilled about his nomination, saying, “I am absolutely honoured to have even made it on the list for the Young Sports Personality of the Year, let alone to have made it in the top three contenders. It feels so amazing.”
These three young athletes have truly shown that age is just a number when it comes to achieving greatness in the world of sports. The winner will be announced live on the Sport Newes Centers Personality of the Year show on 19 December, and the world will be watching as these exceptional individuals continue to inspire us with their remarkable journeys. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the future stars of sports!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sports Personalities 2023
Q: When will the winner of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2023 be announced?
A: The winner will be announced live on the Sport Newes Centers Personality of the Year show on 19 December, at 19:00 GMT.
Q: How were the three finalists, Mia Brookes, Penny Healey, and Charlie McIntyre, selected for this award?
A: A panel of judges selected these finalists from a longlist of 10 outstanding young athletes after careful consideration of their remarkable achievements in their respective sports.
Q: Can you tell me more about Mia Brookes and her achievements?
A: Mia Brookes is a 16-year-old snowboarding sensation who became the youngest ever freestyle snowboard world champion. She made history by winning slopestyle gold and executing the first Cab 1440 double grab in a women’s event.
Q: What about Penny Healey? What has she achieved in archery?
A: Penny Healey, aged 18, has had an exceptional year in archery. She won her first individual World Cup title, achieved double European Games gold, and rose to the world number one ranking in the sport.
Q: Who is Charlie McIntyre, and what makes him a contender for this award?
A: Charlie McIntyre, also 18, is a wheelchair basketball star. He led the Great Britain under-22 team to victory at the Home Nations Championship, won the Premier Division title with the London Titans, and signed a professional contract with Dinamo Sassari in Italian basketball.
Q: Who were the judges responsible for selecting the shortlist?
A: The judging panel consisted of former England footballer Theo Walcott, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, rower Lauren Rowles, and representatives from Sport Newes Center, Blue Peter, and the Youth Sport Trust.
Q: Where can I find more information about the voting criteria for this award?
A: You can find detailed voting criteria for all awards by visiting bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality.
More about Sports Personalities 2023
- BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year
- Mia Brookes – Youngest Ever Freestyle Snowboard World Champion
- Penny Healey – Archery Success Story
- Charlie McIntyre – Rising Star of Wheelchair Basketball
