Mo Farah won the BBC Best Sports Personality of the year 2017 Award, with 83,524 votes to his credit. Farah, a 34-year-old athlete and 10,000m world champion who could not be present at the award ceremony was genuinely surprised at winning this prestigious award. When the results were announced, fans saw Farah’s delight at having won via a video link.
The Somali born, London based athlete said, “To be honest, I am kind of shocked. I didn’t prepare any speech.”
He was one of the 12 contenders who was shortlisted for this award. Over the last few years, he has been shortlisted five times. He has always acquired the third or the fourth position.
Farah’s career highlight has been winning the gold medal for the World Championship in the 10,000m run for three consecutive years. He has won four Olympic titles as well as the 5,000m run in Zurich which was the final track race of his career.
Jonathan Rea, the Irish professional motorcycle racer and Jonnie Peacock, English Paralympian came second and third respectively in the Best Sports Personality of the Year 2017 category.
Others who were appreciated in different categories were Phil Foden, the Manchester City midfielder who won the Young Sports Personality of the Year. Denise Larrad was given the Unsung Hero award for her exceptional fundraising work while Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was given the Life Achievement Award.
