The best of British sports photography was recognised at the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) Awards on 7 March 2022 with David Davies (PA Media) named Sports Photographer of the Year.
As well as clinching the prestigious Sports Photographer of the Year title, Davies also won the Specialist Portfolio prize, for his images of horse racing. His submissions were praised as ‘stand out’ by all the judges.
The judges said, ‘In a year of major restrictions due to the pandemic this category excelled and produced a brilliant selection of portfolios none more so than our winner, “Wavey Davey” as he is known to most of us. His racing photos showed immense range, and his love of the sport.’
Other winners
Ramsey Cardy (Sportsfile) was hailed for a ‘remarkable set of images showing joy, daring, technical skill’ as he won the Canon Sports Portfolio prize. Cardy also scooped Sports Picture of the Year.
Carl Recine (Reuters/Action Images) won his third-ever SJA award, with his ‘eclectic eye for the game’ highlighted as he won the Football Portfolio prize.
Covering the Tokyo 2020 Olympics presented major logistical challenges for media, but Molly Darlington (Reuters/Action Images) – winner of Young Sports Photographer of the Year – was also recognised for her Olympic and Paralympic Portfolio.
Freelance photographer Jeff Gilbert’s photo of Scotland football fans enjoying celebrating in Leicester Square, London, was recognised as the Best Sports News picture.
See below for the work of the winners and a list of all the finalists:
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (Ed Lacey Trophy)
Winner: David Davies (PA Media)
CANON SPORTS PORTFOLIO
Winner: Ramsey Cardy (Sportsfile)
Silver: Carl Recine (Reuters/Action Images)
Bronze: Justin Setterfield (Getty Images)
Also nominated: Alex Davidson (Getty Images), Dave Shopland (Shutterstock), Lee Smith (Reuters/Action Images).
FOOTBALL PORTFOLIO
Winner: Carl Recine (Reuters/Action Images)
Silver: Eddie Keogh (Getty Images)
Bronze: Laurence Griffiths (Getty Images)
Also nominated: Alex Livesey (Getty Images), Chloe Knott (Danehouse Photography), Marc Aspland (The Times & Sunday Times).
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC PORTFOLIO
Winner: Molly Darlington (Reuters/Action Images)
Silver: Richard Heathcote (Getty Images)
Bronze: Carl Recine (Reuters/Action Images)
Also nominated: Alex Pantling (Getty Images), Oli Scarff (freelance), Ramsey Cardy (Sportsfile).
YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Molly Darlington (Reuters/Action Images)
Silver: Alex Davidson (Getty Images)
Bronze: Zac Goodwin (PA Media)
Also nominated: Joseph Portlock (Getty Images), Morgan Harlow (freelance), Oisin Keniry (Getty Images).
SPECIALIST SPORTS PORTFOLIO
Winner: David Davies (PA Media)
Silver: Mark Robinson (freelance)
Bronze: Clive Mason (Getty Images) & Morgan Harlow (freelance)
Also nominated: Cameron Smith (freelance), Julian Finney (Getty Images), Mark Robinson (freelance).
SPORTS NEWS PICTURE
Winner: Jeff Gilbert (freelance)
Silver: Ella Ling (Shutterstock)
Bronze: Kevin Quigley (Daily Mail) and Carl Recine (Reuters/Action Images)
Also nominated: Lee Smith (Reuters/Action Images), Mike Egerton (PA Media), Oli Scarff (freelance)
SPORTS PICTURE
Winner: Ramsey Cardy (Sportsfile)
Silver: Daniel Mullan (Getty Images)
Bronze: Andrew Couldridge (Reuters/Action Images)
Also nominated: Andrew Boyers (Reuters/Action Images), Clive Brunskill (Getty Images), Julian Finney (Getty Images).