So there you have it. Sir Mo Farah – not Anthony Joshua – was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2017.
Many expected Joshua, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko earlier in the year, to win the award, but Farah was named the surprise winner after calling time on his track athletics career two months ago.
Farah was not present at the ceremony in Liverpool, but had spoken to host Gabby Logan earlier in the night via video link. The interview didn’t exactly go smoothly, largely thanks to Mo’s son, Hussein…
What a night for Mo Farah and his family.
His young son Hussein was proving a handful earlier though 😅 #SPOTY 2017 pic.twitter.com/0v1iYTBzYf
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2017
Later on, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish had announced motorcyclist Jonathan Rea in third place for the award, with Para-athlete Jonnie Peacock taking second place. Judging by his reaction, Farah was as surprised as anyone watching when he discovered he was the winner.
Congratulations Mo Farah.#SPOTY 2017. pic.twitter.com/tt1xIszhkF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2017
Sadly, Sir Mo wasn’t able to deliver his victory speech. Within seconds of the announcement being made, the signal to him was lost – the show ending before it had been reconnected.
He was, however, able to speak to Radio 5Live soon after.
“I didn’t see that coming. To be honest you’ve got to tell the truth and I thought I wasn’t going to win it,” he explained.
“We’ve got such amazing sports people in the UK with Jonnie Peacock, Anthony Joshua and Lewis Hamilton. It’s been incredible.”
Sir Mo narrowly missed out on the award after securing double Olympic gold at the London Games in 2012.
“Having come so close after London 2012, I thought that was my closest point to winning Sports Personality of the Year,” he added. “I didn’t think it was going to happen but I guess anything can happen.”
