The 21-year-old Australian became the youngest ever discus winner at this year's World Championships in Berlin, throwing a personal best of 65.44 metres.

 

Samuels, the 2005 world youth champion, capped off a great night for her when she was also awarded the Classic Sportswear Most Memorable Moment for her amazing performance which captured the imagination of the nation.

 

She said: "That [Berlin] was just the competition of my life, I knew I could throw 64 at least and I am just so happy to be able to do that under pressure.

 

"When it landed over 65 I thought, 'Oh my God' - I still can't believe I threw that far because it just felt so effortless, so perfect.

 

"I didn't force them at all and it shows how important technique is.

 

"Once you nail it, it just comes out by itself."

 

For the main award, Samuels beat a list of candidates that included swimmer Libby Trickett, the triple Olympic gold medallist, while in the Memorable Moment she beat cyclist Anna Meares, who at the World Championships in Poznan anchored Australia to victory in the team sprint ahead of Britain.

 

The Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley, who won the London and New York City Marathons.