The pair are recognised for a spectacular 2023 by British Athletics Writers Association
World champions Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Josh Kerr were named the male and female British Athletes of the Year at the British Athletics Writers Association awards for 2023.
In BAWA’s 60th anniversary year, Johnson-Thompson picks up the Cliff Temple Award for Female British Athlete of the Year for her comeback victory in the heptathlon at the world athletics championships in Budapest after rebounding from a series of injury setbacks.
The Liverpudlian, who previously took this prize in 2019, came out ahead in the voting among the journalists and broadcasters who cover the sport.
Kerr, 26, takes the John Rodda Award for Male British Athlete of the Year for the first time in his career following his golden Budapest triumph in the men’s 1500 metres.
The Scot, emulating his club-mate Jake Wightman’s win in 2022, was a unanimous selection in the votes cast.
Josh Kerr beats Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Getty)
“It’s been a phenomenal year,” Kerr said. “It was a big step in the right direction in my career in terms of getting another medal. Being able to stand on top of the podium has been such a fantastic experience. Hopefully it will continue and it’s just the start.
“I have big plans coming up for Olympic year. I’m trying to keep it as exciting as possible but I have both eyes locked in on Paris. I’m going to attack this year like any other year which is focusing on the big day and working back from there. We have some fun things coming up indoors, hopefully getting out there to compete, then have some hard races outdoors, and get ready for the Olympics.”
The Lilian Board Memorial Award for Junior Female for the second time goes to Joy Eze. The Gateshead Harrier struck gold in the women’s 100 metres at the European U20 Championships in Jerusalem in 11.39 seconds, with a relay success on top, in addition to the BUCS indoor 60m title. “It means so much to me,” she declared. “It’s a huge motivator to achieve more next season and the years after that.”
Joy Eze (centre), Renee Regis (left) and Anna Kocsis (Getty)
Charlie Carvell claimed the Jim Coote Memorial Award for Junior Male after taking men’s 400m silver in Jerusalem as the GB&NI captain. “This year has been brilliant for me,” he admitted. “I started off with hamstring injuries, came back healthy and it worked out really well.”
The Male Para Athlete of the Year went to Jonathan…
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