SAMURAI Judo Club fighter Kate Walker has thanked everyone who voted for her after being named the Shuttle/Times and News' Sports Personality of 2008.

The gifted Kidderminster teenager saw off stiff competition from kickboxer Drew Neal and alpine skier Ashley Breese to win the month long poll with 36 per cent of the vote.

The competition had over 1,600 votes, which smashed the number we had for last year’s vote.

Neal ended up with 30 per cent, while Stourport’s Breese was third with 27.

Paralympic Games bronze medal winner Claire Cashmore and Cleobury Mortimer powerlifter Tony Brown shared the rest of the votes.

Walker said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has voted for me because it’s been a very exciting competition.

“For a long time it wasn’t clear who would win because the leadership kept changing hands, so I am really happy to have emerged as the winner.

“The competition has been a big talking point over the last few weeks and the club and my family have really pulled out all the stops to get the word out to vote for me.”

Walker has enjoyed a strong year and has made an impressive transition from the junior to the senior age sections.

The 19-year-old, who is studying Pharmacy at the University of Bath, won the British Junior and Senior Trials at the start of the year.

She was one of Great Britain’s reserves for the Beijing Olympic squad and is hoping to force her way into the reckoning for the Games in London.

Walker won double gold at the British University Games, retained her title at the English Senior Open Championships and gained valuable experience when she competed at the Junior World Championships in Thailand.

She also finished seventh at the European under-23 Championships in Croatia in November, which was her first taste of senior international action.

“My biggest highlight of 2008 was the European under-23 championships,” said Walker.

“I did not expect to do very well as it was one of my first major senior tournament but I won three matches.

“The two fights that I lost were to people who won bronzes, so I was in the hardest side of the draw and I was pleased with my performances.”

She is now looking for sponsors to help in her pursuit of success.

The fighter would like assistance to help pay for travel costs, equipment and her training in Bath.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Walker can call her on 07977 242801.