London/UNI: England cricketer Ben Stokes was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for playing a key role in the team's maiden World Cup win, earlier this year at Lord's.
The all-rounder was man of the match as England won the World Cup for the first time with a dramatic super over victory against New Zealand at Lord's. He also hit an unbeaten 135 in England's most remarkable Test innings of all time against Australia at Headingley.
Stokes was presented with his award by the Princess Royal and former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law on Sunday.
England's World Cup side were also recognised in the team of the year category, while Jos Buttler's run-out of Martin Guptill to seal the trophy in the final against New Zealand was voted moment of the year as cricket sealed a treble victory.
In a public vote, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton finished second while sprinter Dina Asher-Smith was third.
New Zealand-born Stokes also became the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to win the prize. Stokes is the fifth player to have claimed the title since its inception in 1954, following Jim Laker (1956), David Steele (1975), Ian Botham (1981) and Flintoff.
"It's an individual award, but I play in a team sport. The best thing about that is you get to share special moments with team-mates, backroom staff, management who make days like we had in the summer possible. I'm up here receiving this award not just by myself but without the efforts that you put in this summer, I wouldn't be up here doing that,'' Stokes said he accepted the award on stage.
In 2018, Stokes was cleared of affray charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September of the previous year.
"Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I've had so many people help me through that," the 28-year-old Stokes said.
The award ceremony got off to a poignant start as former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir was presented with the Helen Rollason award.
The 49-year-old Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016, and he has spent the time since then working to raise awareness of the condition.
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