THE race to find out who will be The Shuttle’s Sports Personality of the Year is just hotting up.

After one week of voting on our website, martial arts instructor Justin Thomas is currently top of the board with a healthy lead.

But with a week to go before the deadline there is still plenty of time for things to change.

This year is the best yet, with five of the district’s leading sports people vying for the title.

First up is three-time Paralympic swimming star Claire Cashmore, who won her first-ever relay gold medals at the IPC World Swimming Championships in Montreal, as well as achieving individual silver and bronze medals.

Next is sailor Alison Young, who put the finishing touches to an excellent year at the European Championships by winning bronze – her first major tournament medal.

Triathlete Jacqui Phillips has also continued her excellent form.

She successfully defended her European sprint gold, and recorded her best-ever result, at the World Sprint Championships, taking silver in London.

Kidderminster archer Naomi Folkard also reminded everyone of her abilities.

For the 13th year in a row she topped the UK target rankings, and also won gold at a World Cup event in Marrakesh.

But her biggest success was at the World Games in Colombia, where she was dominant in the field archery section.

Such was the 30-year-old’s success that she won back her lottery funding.

Finally, Justin Thomas has shown excellence on the mat.

The 43-year-old from Young Gloves Karate Club saw 30 years of dedication come to fruition when he received his fourth dan and a national coaching award.

To support your favourite go to our sports section at www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk and click on your choice. The deadline is 4pm on Thursday, February 13. The winner will be revealed in the following edition of The Shuttle.