The first woman wins the Grand National

Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 182 years. Only 19 women have ever competed in the race, and no woman has ever placed in the top two. After her win, she told ITV: “I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human… It’s unbelievable.” She’s since gone on to take home four sporting achievement awards, including the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year. A reminder that sometimes you have to be what you can’t see – after all, someone has to be the first.

Naomi Osaka spoke out

Naomi Osaka was responsible for another incredible moment in tennis – but not because she won. Rather, because she dropped out of the French Open. After being fined for refusing to be interviewed by the press due to her depression and social anxiety, the 24-year-old tennis star decided to withdraw from the tournament. She made a come back in the US Open but has since explained that she will be taking a break from the sport. “I feel like for me recently, when I win I don’t feel happy. I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal. I didn’t really want to cry,” she told reporters of her decision. While we can’t wait to see her excellence back on our screen, Osaka has continuously shown us the importance of prioritising your own mental health over the expectations of others.

2021’s best sporting moments for women, from BBC’s SPOTY awards to honest mental health conversations