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Boxing

Calzaghe takes top BBC award

09/12/2007

Boxing superstar Joe Calzaghe has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The Welshman beat off stiff competition to win the award ahead of Lewis Hamilton who finished second while Ricky Hatton took third place.

Calzaghe is the unbeaten WBO and IBF super middleweight champion. The 35-year-old recorded memorable wins over Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler this year.

Calzaghe, who was presented the award by Sir Steve Redgrave, said: "I'm shocked - it's a massive honour and it caps off a great year for me."

Earlier his dad, Enzo, scooped the award for Coach of the Year.

The other short-listed candidates were athletes Paula Radcliffe and Christine Ohuruogu, golfer Justin Rose, motorcyclist James Toseland, tennis player Andy Murray and England rugby stars Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson.

The England rugby union side were named Team of the Year for finishing runners-up in the Rugby World Cup.

After a disastrous start to the tournament, including a 36-0 drubbing by South Africa, England reached the final before narrowly losing to the Springboks.

Captain Martin Corry said: "The over-riding memory of it all is the support we had, both over in France and in the pubs of England."

Sir Bobby Robson was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution as a player and manager spanning over 50 years.

Robson said he was completely honoured to win the award.

"This is an opportunity for me to say thank you to everyone who's played with me and for. Without the players, I wouldn't be here," Robson said.

Roger Federer was named Overseas Sports Personality after another sensational 12 months, in which he won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Meanwhile, Plymouth diver Tom Daley won Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Margaret Simons won BBC Sports Unsung Hero award for launching a community football club in 1964.

The 86-year-old founded Bardwell Football Club in Bicester, Oxford, for youngsters.