The Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSA), which take place on 6 February 2016 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, have announced that Frank Bruno MBE will be honoured for his contribution to the world of sport.
Frank Bruno will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award which is given to a sportsperson who has had a major impact on the world of sport and charity in their lifetime. He follows in the footsteps of Denise Lewis OBE who received the award last year. He was selected by a panel of expert judges including Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi MBE, former West Bromwich Albion favourite Brendon Batson OBE and retired international athletes Derek Redmond and Jason Gardner MBE.
Frank Bruno said, “It’s very flattering and a terrific honour to be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. I’m excited to be able to be part of the second Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards. It should be a great evening for boxing with James DeGale and Anthony Joshua both nominated for other awards.”
Frank started his boxing career at the local Wandsworth Boys Club before learning to box seriously at Oak Hall School in Sussex. He made an impressive start to his boxing career, starting with 21 consecutive wins by knockout. The most impressive of Frank’s achievements in boxing has to be defeating Oliver McCall to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight championship title in 1995.
Arun Kang, Chief Executive Officer of Sporting Equals who founded the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards said: “Frank Bruno was and is one of the sporting greats of our time. It’s a great honour to have him with us at this year’s Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards to celebrate both his achievements and those of the other nominees.”
Frank was selected not only for his own sporting achievements but also because of his significant charity work. Frank has spent much of his life after boxing dedicating his time to different charities. Frank also has his own boxing academy and has worked with many different mental illness charities. His willingness to speak openly about his mental health struggles has opened the door for more people to talk about mental health.
The British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards will also celebrate the successes of other boxing talent, with James DeGale nominated for the Lycamobile Sportsman of the Year Award and Anthony Joshua nominated for the UK Sport Inspirational Performance of the Year Award.
- Youth Sport Trust Young Sports Person of the Year
Easah Suliman, Ellie Downie, Shara Proctor - Unsung Hero
Angeline Tsyihane, Raza Sadiq, Dave Chana - Professional Footballers Association Coach of the Year
Baldip Sahota, Siva Ranasamy, Terry Connor - UK Sport Inspirational Performance of the Year
Anthony Joshua, Kadeena Cox, Rachel Choong - Sport England Community Sports Project
Inter Madrassah Organisation, Swim Dem Crew, Holdford Drive Community Sports Hub - Tennis Foundation Special Recognition
To be announced at the event - Lifetime Achievement
Frank Bruno - Sporting Equals Sportswoman of the Year
Jessica Ennis Hill, Eniola Aluko, Rachel Choong - Lycamobile Sportsman of the Year
Adil Rashid, James DeGale, Lewis Hamilton
