The top three contenders for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016 are Keelan Giles, Ellie Robinson and Amy Tinkler (Photograph: BBC)
The top three contenders for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016 have been revealed tonight on CBBC’s Blue Peter. They are Keelan Giles for Rugby Union, Ellie Robinson for Para-Swimming and Amy Tinkler for Gymnastics.
In Keelan Giles’ first four games for Pro 12 side Ospreys, he scored eight tries including a hat-trick away to Lyon in the European Challenge Cup.
Ospreys coach Steve Tandy has described the 18-year-old as an “unbelievable finisher” and he has been compared to Wales’ record try scorer Shane Williams.
Swimmer Ellie Robinson broke the Paralympic record to win gold in the 50m butterfly at Rio 2016.
The 15-year-old also won bronze in the 100m freestyle, breaking a British record in the process and has been described as a “great role model to both able-bodied and para-athletes”.
Sixteen-year-old Amy Tinkler gave the performance of her life to take bronze on the floor at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first female British gymnast to medal in the event.
Amy Tinkler at the 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships (Photograph: Pierre Yves Beaudouin)
She was the youngest member of Team GB in Rio, and only the second British woman to win an individual artistic gymnastics medal, after Beth Tweddle’s bronze in the uneven bars in 2012.
The top three have been chosen from an original list of 10 which included Ellie Downie (Gymnastics), Sophie Ecclestone (Cricket), Tom Hamer (Para-Swimming), Lauren Rowles (Para-Rowing), Georgia Stanway (Football), Jess Stretton (Para-Archery), Rebekah Tiler (Weightlifting).
Following in the footsteps of 2015 winner gymnast Ellie Downie, the overall winner will be presented with their award on BBC One’s The One Show on Wednesday 14 December (1900).
Young sports personality Keelan Giles is being recognised for his Rugby Union performance (Photograph: Keelan Giles /Instagram)
The shortlist and winner was selected by a panel, from nominations made to the BBC and by sports governing bodies via the Youth Sport Trust and in partnership with Blue Peter.
>> Birmingham school launches BBC Reclaim Sport campaign <<
The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year is awarded to an outstanding young sportsperson who was aged 17 or under on 1 January 2016.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on Sunday 18 December. Tickets are on sale now priced at £45 and £25 plus admin fees. Purchase online from http://www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 33 88 222.
For voting criteria on all awards please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.
.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 will be live from Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Sunday 18 December. Tickets are on sale now from http://www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 33 88 222. Tickets are priced at £45 plus admin fees, see website for full details. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, minimum age 10 years. Full information available at bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality
.
