Anna Hursey has reached quarter-finals of U17 girls singles in Portugal. Pic: Getty Sports

Anna And James In Running To Win Coveted BBC Young Sports Personality Of The Year Award

Wales’ table tennis prodigy Anna Hursey and jockey sensation James Bowen are in the running to be named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

The duo are among the 10 nominees for the award as they look to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ellie Simmonds, Wayne Rooney, Tom Daley, Andy Murray and Phil Foden, the Manchester City footballer who won in 2017.

Cardiff’s Hursey is the youngest athlete ever to compete at the Commonwealth Games after taking part on the Gold Coast in Australia last April.

The 12-year-old prospect won twice in the doubles and once in the singles.

Anna Hursey in action for Wales on the Gold Coast. Pic: Getty Images.

Hursey, who has been competing since she was five and spent time training in China,  is the British No 1 at under-18 level.
as well as being the European number one for her age and in the top 20 of the world’s under-15 rankings.

Pembrokeshire jockey Bowen became the youngest rider to win the Welsh Grand National on Raz De Maree at Chepstow in January.

The 17-year-old is the son of trainer Peter Bowen and younger brother of successful national hunt jockey Sean.

He was also victorious in the Lanzarote Hurdle on William Henry in 2018 and finished second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival on Shantou Flyer.

The winner is set to be announced at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on Sunday, 21 October with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year – in which Wales’ Tour de France champ Geraint Thomas is almost certain to be a contender – taking place at Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Sunday, 16 December.

 

 

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