Josh Warrington claims title as boxing packs big punch at 2020 Leeds Sports Awards

Adams shared the sporting pride award with recently retired former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Jamie-Jones Buchanan as former team-mate Rob Burrow looked on as a guest of honour in his brave battle against motor neurone disease.

Now in their 17th year, well over 750 guests attended the glitzy awards ceremony at first direct arena as BBC Look North's Tanya Arnold once again hosted proceedings and handed out the awards.

A total of 2,255 votes were recorded to nominate finalists during the last few months and IBF featherweight champion of the world Warrington beat off stiff competition to take one of the main awards after a year which saw him twice defend his title with victories against Kid Galahad and Sofiane Takoucht.

After announcing her retirement back in November, double Olympic gold medallist turned professional flyweight world champion Adams was also handed the Sporting Pride Of Leeds award along with former Rhinos ace Buchanan.

Triathlete and 2019 World Series runner-up Jess Learmonth took the sportswoman of the year award with record-breaking wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft taking the sportswoman disability gong on the back of two more gold medals at last year's World Para Athletics Championships.

The sportsman disability accolade was shared between Team GB para-cyclist David Stone and also Leeds Rhinos and England wheelchair rugby league ace James Simpson.

The Rhinos enjoyed a fine evening with the club's double-winning women's rugby league coach Adam Cuthbertson beating off competition including Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa to win the coach - performance accolade.

Having won last year's Super League Grand Final and Challenge Cup, Cuthbertson's Rhinos women also took the club/team performance title.

With over 20 awards handed out, the ceremony also celebrated the younger generation and their achievements with recognition also made to the hardworking coaches and volunteers around the city.

Peter Smith, chair of Sport Leeeds, said: "Leeds Sports Awards 2020 has been another great event, allowing us the opportunity to celebrate the success and achievements of our Leeds athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials.

"The last year has given our city lots of sporting success with some great achievements by a number of Leeds athletes on the world, European and national stages.

"Recognising Josh Warrington and Jess Learmonth is just reward for all they have achieved and the recognition they have brought for Leeds.

"What an inspiration they, and our other senior achievers are to the many young athletes who were at tonight’s Awards.

"Sport Leeds are very pleased that these awards also give the city the chance to recognise the commitment and dedication shown by our coaches, volunteers and officials, all so important in providing quality opportunities for thousands of people every week in Leeds.

"Adam Cuthbertson's coaching success with Leeds Rhinos Women’s team and the great work done by Pat Childs (Life Time Achievement) and Andrew Firth (Volunteer) are great examples of what makes sport in Leeds great!"

2020 LEEDS SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS

Sportsman: Josh Warrington

Sportswoman: Jess Learmonth

Sportsman Disability: David Stone MBE/James Simpson

Sportswoman Disability: Hannah Cockroft MBE

Coach - Performance: Adam Cuthbertson

YOUNG ACHIEVERS

Young Club/Team - Participation: East Leeds ARLFC. U13s. Highly Commended - Morley U9s Cricket Team

Young Club/Team - Performance: City of Leeds Swimming Club. Highly Commended - City of Leeds Synchronised Swimming

Young Sportswoman: Leah Crisp. Highly Commended - Caitlin Beevers/Callie Eaglestone/Millicent Costello

Young Sportsman: Ethan Hussey. Highly Commended - Oliver Crompton/Luke Whitehouse

School Sport (U18 or 18+): Grammar School at Leeds Netball (U15s and U13s). Highly Commended - Corpus Christi Catholic College Year 8 Girls Rugby/Jan Wood

Young Disability Sportsperson: Nathan Collins. Highly Commended - Lucas Town

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION

Student Sport - Individual: Alex Yee. Highly Commended - Matt Brigham/Linden Metcalfe/Evie Tonkin

Student Sport - Team: University of Leeds Boat Club. Highly Commended - University of Leeds Womens' Rugby Union/Leeds Beckett American Football

Club/Team - Performance: Leeds Rhinos Women. Highly Commended - East Leeds Swimming Club/City of Leeds Diving Club/Leeds City AC Endurance Teams

Sports Volunteer: Andrew Firth. Highly Commended: Jacky Cooper/David Mawson

Outstanding Service to Sport: Pat Childs. Highly Commended - John Hall/Gordon Agar

Coach - Participation: Gemma Wright. Highly Commended - Jessica Nicholson/Joshua Gardner

Lifetime Achievement: Bernard Shooman

Sporting Pride of Leeds: Nicola Adams OBE/Jamie Jones-Buchanan