Andy Murray wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year
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Andy Murray has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time.
The 29-year-old World No.1 collected his award during the annual extravaganza held in Birmingham on Sunday night.
Andy, the 2013 and 2015 winner, was the clear favourite among a 16-strong shortlist packed full of Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists. Show jumper Nick Skelton came in third place in the public vote, with triathlete Alistair Brownlee in second. The Duke of Cambridge and Jessica Ennis-Hill read out the winners and Andy, who is currently training in Miami ahead of the new season, was presented with the award by boxing great Lennox Lewis.
In total, Andy won 78 matches and picked up nine different titles in his inexorable bid to reach World No.1 in 2016.. Highlights include becoming the first player to win five titles at The Queen’s Club, before claiming his second Wimbledon win. A gold medal followed in Rio, and Andy topped the year with an ATP World Tour Finals victory over Novak Djokovic to confirm his position at the top of the men’s game.
“I want to thank everybody that voted. And all of my team, my training block in Miami who all make so many sacrifices for me. I appreciate all of their support. I want to thank all of my family, including my mum in the crowd, and my dad who just got married 10 days ago. I miss you guys. And a huge thanks to my wife for all of her support, and my daughter, who won't know who this means, but maybe they will in a few years. And I also have a bone to pick with my wife, who told me five minutes ago on the phone that she voted for Nick Skelton. Which isn't wise with Christmas coming up!”
How the public voted
Andy Murray received 247,419 votes, more than twice as many as second-placed Alistair Brownlee (121,665).
