The six-time world champion marathon canoeist and Royal Holloway graduate Anna Hemmings has been awarded an MBE for her services to sport in the New Year’s Honours.

Anna Hemmings

Anna, who graduated in 2001 with a degree in Economics and Management (2:1), and who was also a recipient of the Student Talented Athlete Recognition Scheme (STARS) and became an Honorary Fellow of the College in 2007, is Britain’s most successful female canoeist and has won eleven World and European Championship medals (nine of which are gold) in a relatively unsung career.

In 2005 she overcame an even bigger battle in returning to top-flight competition just two years after being diagnosed with the possibly career-ending Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, on her return to the sport Anna won all three National, European and World championships, before successfully retaining her place as World Champion in both 2006 and 2007.

Anna began canoeing when she was just eight and a half years old and had become European Champion by the time she was twenty. Two years later in 1999 she defended her title and went on to win the World Championship, becoming the youngest participant to do so and the first female British canoeist to win both the European and World Championships.

In 2001 at the Marathon World Championships Anna also became only the second athlete in the event’s history to win both the K1 (single seat kayak) and K2 (double seated kayak) classes at the same championship. Anna also competed at both the Sydney and the Beijing Olympic Games.

In 2009 Anna retired from professional canoeing after fifteen years of competing at the highest level. Today she is a motivational speaker and hopes to forge a career in sports broadcasting.

Writing on her blog on her official website Anna expresses both her surprise and delight in being awarded this honour, but also says that is a tribute to all those who have contributed to her career and success.