Stevenson, who won the world taekwondo title in a year when both her parents were diagnosed as being terminally ill and subsequently died within three months of each other, received her award at a ceremony in London attended by sporting figures, including London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"It's a great honour," said Stevenson.

"I never expected to win against such other amazing nominees and I'm so happy to receive this and raise the profile of taekwondo.

"I'm proud to be a woman in sport and want to take this opportunity to recognise all the fantastic athletes who make this a genuinely exciting time for women's sport in the UK.

"I collect this award on behalf of all the amazing women out there in British sport"

The official charity partner of the awards was the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), which has led protests over the failure of any woman to be represented in this year's BBC showpiece award.

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the WSFF, said: "This is a fantastic showcase of the richness and breadth of British female sport right now.

"I congratulate all the winners and nominees on their awards and all that they do to fly the flag for female athletes across the country. "

Other successful sportswomen awarded and celebrated on the evening included Team of the Year 2011: The European Solheim Cup team; Young Sportswoman of the Year 2011: Lucy Garner; and Disabled Sportswoman of the Year 2011: Anne Dunham.

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