SOUTH Tyneside’s Paralympic swimming star Josef Craig was last night crowned as the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Britain’s youngest gold medallist at the Paralympics, Josef, 15, won the S7 400m freestyle, setting two world records on the way.
Josef, from Jarrow, was presented with his award at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards by former multi-Olympic swimming champion, Australia’s Ian Thorpe and diving star Tom Daley, a former winner.
Josef, a pupil at St Joseph’s RC Comprehensive in Hebburn, said: “I want to say a big thanks to everyone involved in me getting my gold.
“It was a big shock for me, it was an amazing part of my life.
“I want to thank my mam and dad, along with the rest of my family and friends.
“I also want to thank John Atkinson, the Performance Director of British Swimming and finally want to thank my friends and the staff of British Swimming.”
Josef made the final shortlist of three along with fellow Paralympic swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate and Olympic gymnast Rebecca Tunney.
n Josef’s joy ... Page 6
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