Peat ‘blown away’ as he wins top South Yorkshire sports award
By Dom Howson courtesy of the www.thestar.co.uk
Senior Performer of the Year Steve Peat
The 35-year-old saw off competition from four other world champions, including heptathlete golden girl Jessica Ennis, to scoop the senior performer of the year award at the English Institute of Sport last night.
Peat, of Grenoside, achieved his dream of gold medal in Canberra, Australia, in August after four silver medalists at previous world championships.
He told The Star: “I am absolutely blown away to get the award.
“I didn’t think I had a chance because I thought Jess was going to get it as her sport is a lot more mainstream than mine.
“I was up against some stiff competition so to get this award is unreal. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.
“I train at Sheffield Hallam so it is wonderful to get an acknowledgement from South Yorkshire. It gives me a bit of hope and belief that my sport is getting recognised.”
Peat, who started downhill mountain biking in 1993, said he had 10 to 12 practice runs before his world championship race.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen (the world title),” he said. “My expectations were low going into the tournament.
“But I have always believed in my ability. I love racing and being top of the podium.
“It is history-making and that is what keeps me going. I want to be in the history books and the world title was the last piece in the jigsaw.”
Other notable winners were retired angler Tom Pickering, who bagged the lifetime achievement award, while tumbling gymnast Jordan Ramos was named junior performer of the year.
The South Yorkshire Sports awards recognises the achievements of the top athletes, teams and clubs in the area.
Winners: Junior team of theYear; Sheffield Steelers Lacrosse clubs U14s team.; Senior team of the Year; Hallamshire Hornets Skater Hockey Club Senior Team.; Young Volunteer; Charlie Redfearn – Rotherham Phoenix Cricket Club; Unsung Hero; joint winners Robert Mawhood – Sheffield Cycle Speedway Cricket Club and the late Ronald Wilkinson – Wombwell Main Cricket and Football Club (1943-2009.)
Young Coach of the Year; Misha Carter – Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club.; Coach of the Year; Vanessa Ellis – City of Sheffield Hatters Basketball Club; Contribution to Disability Sport; Mike Elliott – Within Reach.; Club of the Year; South Yorkshire Orienteers.
Rising to the Challenge; Dominic Hurley – Dinnington Racing Club.; Lifetime Achievement; Tom Pickering; Junior Performer of the Year; Jordan Ramos – Wakefield Tumblers; Senior Performer of the Year; Steve Peat – Downhill Mountain Biking world champion.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving bloke. Well done Peaty!
Is Sir Steve nominated for the BBC sports personality of the year? If not why not? This should happen…
Well done again, look forward to saying hello at Fort Bill in June 2010!
Cheers,
Ally.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Its being a long time coming, steve should be up for sports personality of the year award. He’s being the best in his field now for years and representing his country all over the world. He’s helped downhill mountain biking progress as a sport and there is nobody else out there with such a great personality! He’s my hero and always will be and its about time the rest of the country should be showing this man the respect he deserves.
December 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
nice hairstyle
May 24th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Bang on Peaty. I was there, in Canberra and to see Yorkshire beating the world was bloody awesome. Well done mate.