by With a slew of major world championships set to take place in 2023, the PA news agency picks 10 young stars who are best positioned to take their respective sports by storm.
Funmi Fadoju (Netball)
Fast-rising Fadoju is at the forefront of a new wave of English netball stars. Named as a reserve for the Commonwealth Games in the summer, Fadoju subsequently starred in sets against Uganda and Australia and will play a pivotal role in her country’s bid for the 2023 World Cup.
Richard Mansell (Golf)
The 27-year-old Mansell had by far the best season of his career in 2022, missing just five cuts in 25 starts and qualifying for the first time at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, recording four top-10 finishes in the process .
Rehan Ahmed (Cricket)
The 18-year-old Leicestershire leg-spinner became England’s youngest ever men’s cricketer on the recent tour of Pakistan and made an instant impression. Equally adept at ball and with a championship century already on his CV, Ahmed is well positioned to continue to cause a sensation next summer.
Morgan Gannon (rugby league)
The 19-year-old Gannon has made a meteoric rise since making his debut for Leeds Rhinos in 2021 and his progress will continue under manager Rohan Smith. Originally a back-rower, Gannon has been training to a stalemate, hinting at an even bigger impact in Super League in 2023.
Maya Le Tissier (Football)
The 20-year-old defender joined Manchester United from Brighton in the summer and later made his England debut in a 1-1 draw with Norway in Murcia in November. Le Tissier will be part of the Lionesses squad for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Henry Arundell (rugby union)
Arundell marked his international breakthrough by scoring a stunning solo try in the first test against Australia in July. The London-Ireland winger’s sensation is recovering from a foot injury but is set to be central to thinking about replacing Eddie Jones at Twickenham.
Jack Draper (Tennis)
Draper has continued to progress since his stunning finish big in 2021, when he reached the quarterfinals at the Queen’s Club and then took a set over Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Currently a record 42, Draper also reached the semifinals of NextGen in October.
Joe O’Connor (Snooker)
O’Connor’s first finals appearance at the Scottish Open in December may have ended in a crushing 9-2 defeat to Gary Wilson, but the 27-year-old from Leicester has earned rave praise from Ronnie O’Sullivan and looks the best of the best of this sport. a few under 30 to impress.
Keely Hodgkinson (athletics)
After grabbing a trio of high-profile silver medals, including World and Olympic silvers behind the brilliant Athing Mu, the 20-year-old 800m star is looking to take the top step of the podium in 2023, culminating in the World Championships in Budapest in August.
Caroline Dubois (Boxing)
Since turning pro after the Tokyo Olympics, Dubois – sister of heavyweight contender Daniel – has wasted no time, racking up four wins and already starting to call Irish superstar Katie Taylor. The 21-year-old is set to accelerate further through 2023.
