SUSSEX SPORTS AWARDS: Life Saver Zara wins Sports Personality of the Year Award

Zara Williams on rthe podium winning her European gold medal flanked by her German opponernts. SUS-150825-133953002

The black tie event, held at The Grand Hotel on tonight (Friday), celebrated the achievements made by Sussex sports stars and welcomed special guest, London 2012-heptathlete, Louise Hazel, and regular host, BBC Sussex presenter Danny Pike.

22-year old Zara is currently a World record holder, World Club, European National & Club and UK Champion in the 50 Manikin Carry event. At this years’ European Championships she won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in addition to helping her Crawley team mates attain two relay silvers. At the UK National Championship see retained the title of “Top Competitor” when winning four individual national titles and finishing runner-up in two others along with three relay golds.

She also currently holds five individual and three relay British records and is the current Commonwealth Ladies champion. Zara trains and motivates other local swimmers every week at the Crawley Town Life Saving Club while continuing to represent the Crawley Swimming Club at major events and she is rated in the top 10 for the 50m free style sprint.

Zara’s contribution to swimming in general is ground breaking. She has proven that competitive lifesaving cannot only enhance and improve swimming performance but also can maintain the seniors swimmers interest in a sport that generally struggles to maintain athlete’s over the age of 16.

Sadie Mason MBE, Active Sussex Chief Executive said: “Zara, whilst still young, boasts a trophy cabinet and a record of achievements way beyond her years. She demonstrates a constant ability to not only keep improving herself and pushing on to break record after record, but to also pass on her skills and knowledge to other local swimmers, motivating them to achieve their own goals. She is a real inspiration and I’d like to congratulate Zara on her much deserved award win.”

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