Julia Scardone may have been crowned the Active Wandsworth sports person of the year, but the hard work is not complete.

The 22-year-old judo star picked up her award at last night’s glittering ceremony at the Wandsworth Civic Suite.

Scardone, who trains at Ernest Bevin College, started her journey to qualify for the GB squad at the beginning of the 2015 and having medalled in ranking tournaments throughout the year, she has remained in the top three in the country.

Moreover, despite a shoulder injury, Scardone achieved her goal when she won bronze at the senior British trials.

A delighted Scardone said: “I have worked really hard this year to step up my level and I am seeing results from all the work I put in.

“Of course it's nowhere near finished. I still have a lot to work on, and it is an everyday improvement life for me.”

She added: “This year is all about stepping up to a level higher than the European stage.

“I am looking to gain crucial experience for the world stage so that I can start my journey to 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games with some results and confidence.

“I am lucky to have these opportunities to reach further than I thought I could because of my supporters, who believe in me and help me every day.”

Scardone was joined on the winners’ rostrum by Hannah Martin, who was crowed junior sports person of the year.

Martin’s 2015 has been nothing short of tremendous, and she ended it by being crowned junior sports person of the year.

The 13-year-old rhythmic gymnast could not be at the event because she was competing in Estonia – with aspirations of making the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and the Olympics in 2020.

She is ranked as the number one junior in Great Britain and holds seven national titles, but she has also worked hard at home to inspire the next generation at clubs and schools in the borough.

Martin's proud mum Larna said: "Hannah has worked so hard and accomplished more than we ever could have imagined.

"We are so proud and so inspired to see her continue to move up in her sport, and share her dream of one day competing for Britain in the commonwealth and Olympics." 

Special guest on the night was England and Arsenal footballer Jordan Nobbs, while Sky Sports presenter David Garrido compered the event for the second year running.

He tweeted: “Brilliant night last night at @activewands Awards. Congrats to @JuliaScardone & all winners & nominees! #AWA2015”

The rest of the winners:

Community sports team of the year: Spencer Hockey Club girls’ U12s
School sports team of the year: Putney High rowing team
The Mayor’s Award: Disability Sports Coach
Coach/Instructor of the year: Errol Bignall/Paul Miller
Physical activity project of the year: Carney’s Community
Sports club/organisation of the year: Broomwood FC
Voluntary services to sport: Mara Milanesi, Graham Dobson, Andy Beech, Kate Jefferson, Frances Marsh, Fred Green, Becky Atkinson, Flavia Chaves Young volunteer of the year: Madeline Ford and Mahnoor Rauf
Outstanding contribution to sport/physical activity: Jane Walters
JWE Davis Award: The London Youth Games boys’ athletics teams
David Burn Award: Eimear Griffin
London Youth Games Para Games athlete of the year: Ricardo Raymond London Youth Games coach of the year: Rafal Radosz
Outstanding contribution to Wandsworth at the London Youth Games: Tony Coton
Junior sports person of the year: Hannah Martin
Sports person of the year: Julia Scardone