UK's greatest sporting moment of 21st century named - and Leicester is on the list

A look back to when Leicester City won the Premier League

Sports fans have voted Sir Andy Murray’s 2013 Wimbledon win over Novak Djokovic as the UK’s top sporting moment of the 21st century. Leicester City’s Premier League victory in 2015/16 came fourth, while Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics in the 5,000m and 10,000m races came fifth.

Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute drop goal for England against Australia, securing the 2003 World Cup, took second place. The Lionesses’ victory in the Women’s Euros in 2022 claimed the third spot.

The survey, which asked 2,000 adults who watch sport, was carried out by CopyBet.com. A spokesperson for the betting platform said: “The UK has a proud sporting history and it’s always enjoyable to reflect on the moments and sportspeople we remember most fondly. As the study shows, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had lots of success this century.

READ MORE Plan to bulldoze antiques store for student flats rejected over ‘significant and fundamental issues’

“And with Euro 2024, the Summer Olympics, Wimbledon, on the horizon, and the Six Nations underway, 2024 will surely see more memorable sporting moments.” The research also identified the UK’s best sports star of this century, with Sir Mo Farah snagging the top spot.

Sir Andy Murray and Sir Lewis Hamilton were voted second and third, followed by Sir Chris Hoy and David Beckham in fourth and fifth place. It turns out 87 per cent think that when Brits win big in sport, it raises the country’s spirits. And 65 per cent believe we’re really in need of some more sporting triumphs.

A spokesperson said: “We’d all be thrilled to see something like Emma Raducanu winning the US Open in 2021, or Ben Stokes’ epic Ashes-saving innings at Headingly in 2019, wouldn’t we?”

These moments are joined in the top 20 by England winning the Ashes in 2005, and Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling. Dame Kelly Holmes’ double gold at the 2004 Olympics in the 800m and 1500m, and Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world record in 2003, also made the cut.

David Beckham’s last-gasp free kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup, also made the list of top British sporting achievements.

A OnePoll study found a whopping 60 per cent of people reckon today’s UK sports stars match up to those from previous eras. And good news – 64 per cent are hopeful about what’s to come for UK sports over the next 10 years.

Footballer Jude Bellingham, darts player Luke Littler, and Manchester City star Phil Foden are the top three sportspeople those polled think will go on to become sporting greats.

A spokesperson for CopyBet.com said: “Recent successes will surely inspire the next generation of athletes to match or better past achievements. The future is looking bright for the UK – no doubt sports fans will be excited to see what happens next.”

Here are the top 20 UK sporting moments of the 21st century:

1. Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013

2. Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute drop goal for England against Australia to win the 2003 World Cup

3. The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022

4. Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16

5. Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics – 5,000m and 10,000m

6. Sir Steve Redgrave winning his fifth consecutive Olympic rowing golds in 2000

7. ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005

8. England winning the Ashes in 2005

9. England’s Cricket ODI World Cup win in 2019

10. David Beckham’s last minute free kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup

11. Manchester City FC’s men’s team completing a historic treble in 2023 (winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champion’s League)

12. Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling.

13. Sir Lewis Hamilton clinched his seventh Formula 1 championship in 2021.

14. Emma Raducanu triumphed at the US Open in 2021.

15. Dame Kelly Holmes bagged double gold at the 2004 Olympics for the 800m and 1500m races.

16. Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly happened in 2019.

17. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill won heptathlon gold at the 2012 Olympics.

18. Sir Bradley Wiggins celebrated a Tour de France victory in 2012.

19. Ronnie O’Sullivan secured his seventh snooker World Championship in 2022.

20. Paula Radcliffe set a marathon world record in 2003.

The top 10 greatest UK sportspersons of the 21st century are:

1. Sir Mo Farah 2. Sir Andy Murray 3. Sir Lewis Hamilton 4. Sir Chris Hoy 5. David Beckham OBE 6. Ronnie O’Sullivan OBE 7. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill 8. Jonny Wilkinson CBE 9. Ben Stokes OBE 10. Dame Kelly Holmes

The top 10 greatest Welsh sportspersons of the 21st century are:

1. Gareth Bale MBE 2. Alun Wyn Jones OBE 3. Joe Calzaghe CBE 4. Ryan Giggs OBE 5. Geraint Thomas OBE 6. Shane Williams MBE 7. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE 8. Gary Speed 9. Sam Warburton OBE 10. Gareth Thomas

The top 10 greatest Scottish sportspersons of the 21st century are:

1. Sir Andy Murray 2. Sir Chris Hoy 3. Stephen Hendry MBE 4. Andy Robertson MBE 5. Eilish McColgan 6. Laura Muir 7. Eve Muirhead OBE 8. Stuart Hogg MBE 9. Jamie Murray OBE 10. John Higgins MBE

The top five UK up-and-coming sporting greats are:

1. Jude Bellingham 2. Luke Littler 3. Phil Foden 4. Emma Raducanu 5. Bukayo Saka