Ella Nelson receives ’One to Watch’ award

Sydney University Athletics Club sprinter Ella Nelson has been named as the ‘One to Watch’ at the Women’s Health ‘I Support Women In Sport’ awards gala overnight.

Receiving the award in Sydney, Nelson was “honoured” to take the award following her break-out performance in the 200m at the Rio Olympics, in which she lunged at the line for a 3rd place finish in her semi-final and set a new personal best time of 22.50.

“It was crazy. I actually didn’t know about the nomination until the night, so it was a total surprise to me. I’m so honoured and the night definitely exceeded my expectations,” the 22-year-old said.

Rio Olympic flagbearer Anna Meares, Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne, Olympic rowing gold medallist Kim Brennan and surfing legend Layne Beachley were among the award recipients on the night.

“It was just amazing to be in the same room with the likes of Layne Beachley and Kim Brennan who are just amazing women and totally deserving of their awards," Nelson said.

“Layne’s speech was incredible and I’m so impressed in what she’s been able to do for her sport on and off-the-water. She’s raising the profile of women’s sport and what she’s done is incredible. I really look up to that.”

“I spent a lot of time with Chloe Esposito on the night,” Nelson said of the Olympic gold winning modern pentathlete, “We’ve become good friends”.

Nelson’s recognition is another example of the emerging talent Australian athletics can boast, with Victorian high jumper Eleanor Patterson taking out last year’s ‘One to Watch’ accolade.

Humble yet brilliant! Congratulations @ellanelson200 "One to Watch" #ISWIS #ISupportWomenInSport pic.twitter.com/dClCfbUkIF

— Karen Stocks 🙉🙈🙊 (@KazStocks) October 5, 2016