Three new athletes have made the October 2023 Athletes’ Athlete of the Month shortlist after a range of unique personal successes.In an award that celebrates both sporting success and personal achievements, the latest nominees have made the list for three very different accomplishments.The nominees are Vicky Holland (triathlon), Jake Jarman (gymnastics) and Fynn Sterritt (sailing).Olympic medallist Vicky returned to competition for the first time in nearly two years after giving birth to her daughter. She finished an impressive seventh in Tangier and competed again in Rome less than a week later.She took to social media to discuss the motivation she needed to overcome the hurdles of coming-back, saying: “I’m one of a growing number of women returning to a career in performance sport as a mother and I want to – and feel I should – share what it is like/has been like on that journey. It’s a small, special group of women that’s growing all the time and although I never imagined I would even be attempting a return to performance sport post-partum, here I am.”Jake made headlines across the globe when he became the first British gymnast to be crowned world vault champion at the 2023 artistic gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp. The week before, his place in the final appeared at risk following a fall during the qualifying rounds. However Jake’s vaults were so difficult that he progressed regardless, and he landed the Yonekura and the Dragulescu in the final to seal gold.Finally, Fynn was one of a number of sailors selected to represent Team GB in the Paris 2024 Olympics. His story is particularly poignant after he missed out on selection for Tokyo, an experience he openly told the BBC put his career in doubt. “I thought that was my Olympic career over and [I was] having to move on and get excited and motivated for something else,” he said.“There were some really tough and dark few months actually. I lost my way a little bit for a while.” But upon securing a Team GB sport Fynn pointed out that should he medal he would be the oldest 49er crew to do so, and that as a schoolchild he wrote that his dream was to reach the Olympics. His nomination follows fellow sailors Anna Burnet and John Gimson winning the Athletes’ Athlete of the Month award for September.This month, elite athletes can vote for their Athlete of the Month by heading to the vote on the BEAA’s Instagram Story, with the winner to be confirmed shortly.Please note, only the votes of athletes currently on UK Sport’s World Class Programme will be counted.Good luck to everyone shortlisted!

Awards

October 2023 Athletes’ Athlete of the Month shortlist revealed

Voting is now open for the October award.
January 11, 2023
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