There have been 63 recipients of the Sports Personality of the Year award, but only 13 of these have been women.
Former equestrian world champion, Zara Tindall, was the last female athlete to win the prize in 2006, though the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dina Asher-Smith and Rebecca Adlington have all placed in the top three since then.
This year’s awards will be held at Salford’s MediaCity on 19th December and will celebrate 12 months of engrossing sporting action, which has included the Olympics, Paralympics and Euro 2020.
The nominations are yet to be announced, but there are a number of women’s sports stars that are deserving of recognition.
Fran Kirby was named the Women’s Super League Player of the Season after helping Chelsea retain their title.
Sophia Dunkley starred in the inaugural season of The Hundred and became the first black woman to ever play Test cricket for England.
Meanwhile, Poppy Cleall was named the Six Nations Player of the Year as England won the newly formatted Championship in April.
All of these stars have enjoyed noteworthy years, but may still find themselves snubbed of this year’s shortlist if betting odds are anything to go by.
We’ve therefore taken a look at the top five female contenders this year, according to bookmakers –– as per information from oddschecker.
Charlotte Dujardin (100/1)
Dujardin claimed a record-breaking sixth Olympic medal in the individual dressage at Tokyo 2020, becoming Britain’s joint most successful female Olympian, alongside Laura Kenny.
The Brit secured bronze with her horse Gio –– adding to her other bronze, plus a silver and three golds.
Having competed in three Olympics and won multiple elite titles during her career, Dujardin has been described as the dominant dressage rider of her era.
