Claressa Shields a “Sportswoman of the Year” finalist

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and now two-division professional world champion Claressa Shields has been named a top-10 finalist for the 2018 Individual Sport “Sportswoman of the Year” by the prestigious Women’s Sports Foundation.

Finalists were selected based on athletic performances between August 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. The public and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Awards Committee will select the award winner. She will be the athlete who receives the highest combined share of online public voting (50% of composite) and the Awards Committee vote (50% of composite). Online voting runs from July 23 to August 3 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

Click HERE to vote for Claressa Shields as the 2018 “Sportswoman of the Year.”

A pillar of her community in Flint, Michigan, as well as a tireless advocate for women’s boxing and athletics in general, 22-year-old Shields has rocketed to superstardom and become the face behind the resurgence of women’s boxing.

In just six professional fights (6-0, 2 KOs), the popular Shields has won the unified women’s 168-lb Super Middleweight and unified women’s 160-pound Middleweight championships. In her last ring appearance, held on June 22 and broadcast live on Showtime Championship Boxing, Shields’ match drew higher ratings than a World Heavyweight Championship unification match held earlier this year.

Founded in 1974 by tennis legend, Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is dedicated to creating leaders by ensuring all girls access to sports. Past winners of Women’s Sports Foundation awards include Venus and Serena Williams, Abby Wambach, Meryl Davis, Simone Biles, Yani Tseng and Candace Parker.

While a number of female athletes have received multiple nominations, few have been able to repeat… but Claressa Shields loves a good fight.

“I am honored to be nominated by the Women’s Sports Foundation as a finalist for the 2018 Sportswoman of the Year,” said Claressa Shields. “It means the world to me to be in the company of such outstanding women and athletes being considered for this prestigious award. We all work hard and will not stop until every sportswoman achieves the equality we deserve.”
“I am thrilled for Claressa and so proud of her for all her accomplishments in and out of the ring as a woman, as an athlete, and as someone who is a mentor and role model to young women the world over,” said Shields’ co-manager Mark Taffet. “As a once-in-a-generation athlete, Claressa Shields sets the bar high for herself and all female athletes, lifting the conscience of the sports world with every step she takes. It is a privilege to be part of her history-making journey, and I applaud the Women’s Sports Foundation for their work in raising the profile of these great athletes.”

“Claressa’s journey from her days as a teenager growing up in Flint has been historic every step of the way,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “She is unique combination of an elite athlete and a socially conscious hero of the people. Her record-breaking accomplishments inside the ring inspire fans and elevate women’s sports all around the world.”

The Women’s Sports Foundation’s 39th Annual Salute to Women in Sports will be held on Wednesday, October 17, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.