Steyning AC Olympian, Ian Richards, race walked onto the stage at the Hilton Metropole in Brighton to be crowned the 2019 'Sports Personality of the Year' at the Sussex Sports Awards.
This year Richards has dominated his M70 age group, winning the world masters 5km walk and then taking European titles in the 5000m track walk, 10km and 20km as well as two team titles. However, his path has not been easy this year as as he was disqualified in the British masters 3000m indoor and outdoor championships as well as the world masters 10km.
It was a good night for athletics as Brighton Phoenix coach Bruce Warren made the top three for 'Coach of the Year' and Brighton & Hove AC's teenage record breaker, Amber Anning, was in the final three for 'Young Sports Personality of the Year,' an award she won in 2015.
After accepting the award from host, 400m hurdles legend, Kriss Akabusi, Richards then spoke with BBC Sussex presenter, Danny Pike, about the ups and downs of his phenomenal season.
Richards and Anning have both been shortlisted for AW magazine's annual Readers' Choice awards. You can vote for them here: https://www.athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/aw-aoty-2019-1039926252/