Kadeena Cox wins Sportswoman of the Year at BEDSA 2017
Kadeena Cox's recent sporting success was recognised at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSA) winning Sportswoman of the Year.
The third BEDSAs were hosted by British comedian Sir Lenny Henry in London on Saturday and are supported by Sport England, UK Sport, the Football Association, the Tennis Foundation, Youth Sport Trust, England Athletics, the British Army, Mind and Spirit of 2012. They are organised by Sporting Equals, whose chief executive Arun Kang said the purpose of the awards was to "celebrate diversity at both an elite and grassroots level".
Cox made history in 2016 becoming the first athlete since Isobel Newstead in 1982 to become Paralympic champion in two different sports.
Cox, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014 after having a stroke, won gold on the velodrome and the track in the 500 metre time-trial and 400 metres respectively, breaking world records in both events. She also picked up a silver medal in the 4 x 100 metre relay and a bronze medal in the 100 metres.
Her achievements saw her selected as ParalympicGB’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony, aswell as being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honour’s list.
Cox also won her first world title at the 2016 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships and picked up a bronze medal at the IPC European Athletics Championships.
She beat off competition from heptathlete Jessica Ennis Hill, hockey player Sam Quek and boxer Nicola Adams to win the Sportswoman of the Year award.
Kadeena was delighted to win the award:
“I am really proud to have won Sportswoman of the Year. 2016 was the best year of my life, and even in my wildest dreams I could never have imagined winning four medals at my first Paralympic Games.
“I hope that my performances showed that if you work hard and commit yourself to a goal, then you can overcome adversity and achieve your dreams.”
Great Britain Cycling Team para-cycling head coach, Jon Norfolk, said:
“These awards are worthy recognition of Kadeena’s incredible achievements. To win gold medals in two different sports is very rare and it was her sheer determination and passion for her sports that made it happen.”
