BEN Goodall is hoping to make it third time lucky, writes JAMES ROBERTS.

The Harwell tumbler was short-listed in this category in 2015 and 2016, but did not take home the prize.

This is the last year the teenager is eligible for the junior award.

However, Goodall takes pride from being a multiple nominee.

He said: “Every year there’s always been fantastic athletes I’ve been against, so to be up there against those guys is an honour really.

“It’s pretty awesome that I can consistently reach a level that gets recognised.

“It shows the work I put in is paying off in the long run.”

It has certainly been a long road for Goodall, who was unable to compete in 2016 after suffering a serious back injury early in the year.

The tumbler surpassed his own expectations a year later, claiming silver medals in both the British and English Championships and gold for Great Britain in the Loulé Cup in Portugal.

Goodall crowned a successful 2017 with an eighth-place finish in the 17-21 category at the World Age Group Championships in Sofia.

His achievements over the last 12 months are impressive regardless of the context.

But this year’s nomination means even more after the 19-year-old’s injury nightmare in 2016.

He said: “To drop to zero and build back up to something that can be recognised at an awards evening like this makes it more special.

“I used to say 2015 was my best year.

“Given what happened in 2016 and everything that happened after, 2017 is definitely the best year of my career so far.”