Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, who is from Warrington, has been shortlisted for the 2024 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

The retired swimmer, who was the first Black woman to swim for Great Britain, is one of six authors in the running for the award.

She has been nominated for her book, ‘These Heavy Black Bones’, which tells the story of her journey to becoming a British swimming champion.

Her book is one of three by female authors to make the final selection for the 36th awards.

The other books include ‘Unique’, a memoir by double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes, and ‘My Beautiful Sisters’ by Khalida Popal, co-founder and captain of Afghanistan’s women’s football team.

(Image: Her book is one of six in the running)

“Unique” gives an insight into Kelly Holmes’s life, from her early career in the military to becoming a top athlete, while concealing her identity as a gay woman until she came out publicly in 2022.

‘My Beautiful Sisters’ details Khalida Popal’s work in uncovering sexual abuse in Afghan football as a refugee in Europe, against the backdrop of the Taliban’s recapture of Kabul in August 2021.

Other contenders in the diverse selection of titles include ‘Munichs’ by David Peace, a history of Manchester United in the years following the 1958 Munich air crash.

‘The Racket’ by former Irish professional tennis player Conor Niland, and ‘When I Passed The Statue Of Liberty I Became Black’ by Harry Edward, a memoir of Britain’s first Black Olympic medal winner, also made the shortlist.

Decided by a seven-person judging panel, the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in central London on November 19.

The victorious author will receive a trophy and £30,000.

Alyson Rudd, chair of the judging panel, said: “Selecting six titles to make this year’s William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award shortlist was no mean feat, from a longlist of 17 fantastic books.

“But we are delighted to announce the entries that have impressed us most, with their diverse range of perspectives exhibiting the very best of sports writing.

“We believe the final six achieve the perfect blend of making individual stories resonate with a wide audience, whether that be across athletics, football, swimming or tennis.

“These books tackle important topics such as sexual identity and race relations to go above and beyond the boundaries of their respective sports.

“We are excited to celebrate the fine work of all six authors when this year’s winner is announced on November 19.”

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 shortlist:

– ‘These Heavy Black Bones’ by Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell – ‘When I Passed The Statue Of Liberty I Became Black’ by Harry Edward – ‘Unique’ by Kelly Holmes – ‘The Racket’ by Conor Niland – ‘Munichs’ by David Peace – ‘My Beautiful Sisters’ by Khalida Popal