GQ Sportsman of the Year: Cody Simpson among 10 in running for prestigious award

Cody Simpson didn’t win an individual race but his move from pop star to pool has him in the top 10 for the GQ Sportsman of the Year — and rival Kyle Chalmers is a notable absentee.

Singer turned swim star Cody Simpson has finally got one up on pool rival Kyle Chalmers, short-listed for the GQ Sportsman of the Year award.

After a breakout year in swimming for the former pop star to make the Australian swim team, the choice of Simpson ahead of sprint champion Chalmers is intriguing to say the least.

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Chalmers won fans over with his candid revelations about mental health, but Simpson’s global popularity and transition from stage to pool saw him make the final 10 shortlist for voting even though he never won an individual race at any level.

“I am absolutely honoured to be nominated for GQ’s Sportsman of the Year Award” said Simpson.

“It’s been a real grind but an amazing journey to get back to this level in the pool and it’s wonderful to be recognised as such!

“I admire and look up to all the nominees as sportsmen and they all have incredibly inspiring stories and are all extremely deserving of the award. I’m honoured to be in such company.”

Cody Simpson is on the shortlist for GQ's Sportsman of the Year.

In a case of minnows against millionaires, some of Australia’s richest sportsmen are up against the likes of emerging boxer Harry Garside and out and proud gay footballer Josh Cavallo.

Cameron Smith, the British Open champion who shocked world sport with his $150m defection to LIV golf, heads the list which also includes AFL star Lance Franklin, NRL’s Dally M champion Nicho Hynes, Test cricket captain Pat Cummins, Winter Olympian Scotty James, NFL star Jordan Mailata and UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa.

Originally published as GQ Sportsman of the Year: Cody Simpson among 10 in running for prestigious award