ANOTHER year of fantastic sporting achievements is drawing to a close and it is time for our readers to cast their online votes to crown the Dudley News Sports Personality of the Year 2009.

Throughout December, we invited your nominations to help us select our final shortlist of four local sports personalities.

The deadline for nominations has now closed and after much deliberation, our four candidates have been chosen.

Last year’s winner Ann Iqa-Oqua has enjoyed another outstanding season, with consistent performances in the big events.

The 16-year-old took the National Inter Counties title at both 100m and 300m, before scooping an impressive bronze at the National UK Games.

Tipped as a realistic prospect for the 2012 Olympics, Oqua also starred at the Birmingham National Indoor and Midland Regional Champonships.

Karate star Richard Shipley has gone from strength to strength after striking gold in Portugal earlier this year.

The 15-year-old defeated the best in Europe to walk away with the under-16s Kata and Kumite categories at the Porto International Karate Championships.

Shipley, who trains at PC Karate Academy in Brierley Hill, has also been called up into the England junior ranks.

Dudley Town are challenging near the top of the West Midlands Premier, thanks in part to the goals of Danny Ashton.

The attacking midfielder has netted 17 times in 28 games in all competitions and has been a menace to defences throughout the league.

Completing the quartet is Dudley Kingswinford RFC flanker Ian Langford.

The veteran star has been at the club for more than 15 years and was a mainstay of the side which narrowly missed out on promotion back to the National League last season.

He has continued his form into the current campaign, often proving the fulcrum to DK’s displays.

Voting for this year’s award opens on our website this week and will run until midday on Monday January 11.

One vote per reader is allowed - multiple votes will be discounted