<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma has been awarded the BBC African Sports Personality of the Year for 2021. She continues to make history off the track as the first and youngest woman ever to receive the award.</span>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">The young 18-year-old phenom first made headlines for being the first Namibian woman ever to win an Olympic medal. Mboma took home the silver medal for the star-studded women's division in Tokyo last year. </span>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mboma is now the second Namibian native athlete to win the award, first being sprinter Frankie Fredericks in 1993. She joins a list of illustrious fellows during the nomination, including well-known names in Kenya runners Eliud Kipyegeon, para-athlete Ntando Mahlangu from South Africa, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and South African swimmer Tatjana Shoenmaker. </span>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">When interviewed by BBC, Mbowa shared her sentiments by saying … </span>
<strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">"I feel great and really proud to be a Namibian,"</span></em></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> she said. </span><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">"I dedicate this BBC award to all Namibians. This is [a reward] for all the hard work I have done"</span></em></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> Mbowa added. </span>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">In addition to Mboma's Olympic award, she also is a known Diamond League champion and U-20 gold medallist holder for the 200m sprint. </span>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Upon receiving her award, Mboma was recently involved in a car crash earlier this week while accompanied by her coach as they headed to the Namibian capital Windhoek. </span>
<strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">"I didn't expect [the rest of 2021 would go so well] after what happened but I am really proud of myself for all the achievements I have done. It was very difficult.</span></em></strong>
<strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">"My achievement will motivate young athletes from Africa, and here in Namibia, to try to do their best and to work hard in their dream."</span></em></strong>
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mboma is a living testament as she embodies success over hardship and trials, inspiring Nambian's youth and all young and marginalized athletes in the world. </span>
