Tom Jenkins’s best sport photographs of 2022

Liverpool v Chelsea, Carabao Cup final, Wembley – 27 February

24mm lens 1/1600 f4 ISO 4000

Kepa Arrizabalaga the Chelsea goalkeeper puts his penalty over the bar to hand Liverpool victory 11-10 in the penalty shoot-out during the EFL Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27th 2022.

A match that ended 0-0 after extra time was enlivened by an extraordinary penalty shoot-out. Every outfield player from both sides scored from the spot so it came down to the goalkeepers. Caoimhin Kelleher scored for Liverpool then saw Kepa Arrizabalaga blast his kick over the bar. I was glad I had a remote camera behind the net to record one angle, while I was standing on the other side of the goal getting a completely different shot.

Chelsea v Newcastle, Premier League, Stamford Bridge – 13 March

560mm lens 1/2000 f4 ISO 1250

Chelsea fans watch under a banner relating to the ownership of Roman Abramovich during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 13th 2022 in London.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine and due to his close relationship with the Kremlin, Roman Abramovich had all his assets frozen in the UK and was forced to sell Chelsea. The day before this game against Newcastle, he was officially banned from being a director and uncertainty swirled around Stamford Bridge. Before the match I knew I wanted to make use of this banner in the Matthew Harding Stand. I waited for the right moment when the ball was in exactly the spot I needed.

Cheltenham Festival, day two – 16 March

62mm lens 1/1000 f2.8 ISO 640

Jockey Sam Ewing from Ireland walks back to the weighing room after finishing unplaced in the Coral Cup on Tronador during racing on day two of the Cheltenham National Hunt jump racing festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16th 2022 in Gloucestershire.

The second day of the Festival this year suffered from appalling conditions – blowing a gale and pouring with rain. It was particularly bad for the poor jockeys. After the Coral Cup, a hurdle race with a big field where the mud was really flying, I went to the unsaddling enclosure to photograph the jockeys walking back to the weighing room. Sam Ewing from Ireland gave me such an intent stare, , the definition on his face where his goggles had been easy to see.

The 167th Boat Race, London – 3 April

185mm lens 1/2000 f5.6 ISO 1600

Oxford cox Jack Tottem is thrown into the river by his team-mates as they celebrate victory after the 167th Oxford v Cambridge University Men’s Boat Race on the River Thames near Chiswick Bridge on April 3rd 2022 in London.

It had been nearly a decade since I last photographed the Oxford v Cambridge boat races. I like it because it’s so different, a highly unusual event that has a remarkable hold on the British sporting landscape. It also offers, especially for the winning coxes, a very wet way to celebrate. The best view of the crews throwing the cox into the water is actually from a balcony at the boathouse where they finish. This gave me a clear angle to see Jack Tottem of Oxford spinning through the air.

Tyson Fury v Dillion Whyte, Wembley Stadium – 23 April

600mm lens 1/1250 f4 ISO 10000

A member of Fury’s backroom staff throws water on the two fighters as they scrap during the WBC world heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23rd 2022 in London.

During the early rounds of their world heavyweight title fight, a member of Fury’s backroom staff appeared to throw some sort of liquid at both fighters. This fight was an occasion where I was very thankful to modern camera technology. The lighting around the ring that night was appalling, incredibly dark with a horrible cast. A few years ago, it wouldn’t have been possible to get a decent frame in those conditions – now things are very different.

Liverpool v Villarreal, Champions League semi-final first leg, Anfield – 27 April

33mm lens 1/1250 f9 ISO 800

The Liverpool team bus makes it’s way very slowly pass massed crowds outside the King Harry pub near the ground before the Champions League semi-final 1st leg match between Liverpool and Villarreal at Anfield on April 27th 2022.

The Liverpool team bus made its way slowly through the crowds outside the King Harry pub in Anfield. It has become quite a tradition in Liverpool for fans to line the streets like this before a big European match. The smoke from the flares is great for pictures, but only up to a point – if there are too many it becomes almost impossible to see anything.

Round One, eSkootr Championship, Printworks, London – 13 May

400mm lens 1/1250 f2.8 ISO 5000

Luke Hedger, a 26 year old stand in rider from GB, a superbike rider, wins an elimination heat for the Los Rayos team and was fastest on the day during qualifying at the opening round of the new global eSkootr Championship at Printworks London on May 13th 2022.

I love getting to see a new sport and deciding out how to photograph it. I was invited to see the first round of a new global series of scooter racing that was being held in an old print works. The electrically-charged machines whizzed around a circuit that weaved in and out of the building. There was one point on the track where I tried a photo technique that I like to think of as a “reverse silhouette.” It was where the scooters passed from the bright sunlight outside into a dark warehouse. By exposing for the inside, which also happened to be correct for the face of the rider, it blew out the background to make it almost white. This picture shows Luke Hedger, normally a superbike rider, on his way to finish first in qualifying on the opening day of the competition.

Manchester City v Aston Villa, Premier League, Etihad Stadium – 22 May

24mm lens 1/1600 f4.5 ISO 1250

Ilkay Gundogan scores the third Manchester City goal which won the game and the Premier League title during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on May 22nd 2022.

Needing a win to claim the title, City were 2-0 down deep into the second half. Remarkably they scored three goals in just over five minutes to win the match and finish the season just a point ahead of Liverpool. This picture of Ilkay Gundogan scoring the goal that won his side the Premier League was taken by one of two remote cameras I had positioned either side of that goal. For big games like this I often use two remote cameras, usually one at each end. At half-time I decided to gamble and put both of them behind the net City were about to attack. Luckily for me it paid off.

Scotland v Ukraine, World Cup playoff semi-final, Hampden Park – 1 June

120mm lens 1/2000 f5.6 ISO 800

The Ukraine players walk out draped in flags during the World Cup play-off semi-final match between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park on June 1st 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Quite possibly the most emotionally charged game of football I’ve ever covered. The Ukraine national football team walked out draped in their national flags to play their first game since the Russian invasion began. I wondered if they could perform under so much pressure. I turned out they were inspired, the motivation of representing their war-torn country driving them on to a 3-1 victory.

The LIV Invitational, Centurion Golf Club, Hemel Hempstead – 9 June

145mm lens 1/2500 f5.6 ISO 400

Ian Poulter putts on the 18th green while being watched by Kevin Na during day one of the first LIV Golf Invitational tournament at the Centurion Club on June 9th 2022 in Hemel Hempstead, England.

Ian Poulter holing out at the 18th on the day civil war broke out in professional golf. The inaugural LIV tournament, with prize money of $25m, was the first in a breakaway series that lured some of the top names in the sport away from the traditional tours. It created a huge schism in the sport that remains unresolved. For me this day was all about trying to find an image that hinted to a wider issue rather than who shot the best score.

England v New Zealand, second Test, Trent Bridge – 14 June

840mm lens 1/2500 f5.6 ISO 800

Jonny Bairstow celebrates his historic century during day five of the 2nd test match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge on June 14th 2022 in Nottingham.

Jonny Bairstow scored the second fastest century scored by an Englishman in Test cricket. His remarkable innings of 136 off just 92 balls helped transform the match and led England to a magnificent victory. It was a prime example of the new positive brand of Test cricket introduced by the new partnership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

Elena Rybakina wins the women’s singles, Wimbledon – 9 July

400mm lens 1/1600 f4 ISO 400

Elena Rybakina receives the winners trophy from the Duchess of Cambridge after victory over Ons Jabeur in the Ladies’ Singles Final on Centre Court during day thirteen of the 2022 Wimbledon tennis championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club on July 9th 2022 in London.

It caused a major fuss when the All England Club decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the tournament because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So it was ironic that the tournament ended with the Russia-born Rybakina being handed the Venus Rosewater Dish. Even though she switched her nationality to Kazakhstan in 2018, she still lives in Moscow. On a sunny day the famous trophy turns out to be a lovely reflector of light, and so it proved again here.

The 150th Open Championship, St Andrews – 14 July

115mm lens 1/2000 f9 ISO 800

Players walk up the 18th fairway with the clubhouse in the background in the evening sunshine during the 150th Open Golf Championship at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews on July 14th 2022 in Fife, Scotland.

There is nowhere else like it, that unique stretch of land that makes up the 1st and 18thholes at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. I never tire of this scene looking back towards the famous clubhouse from the top of a grandstand by the 17th green. On a beautiful sunny evening, at the end of the first day of this celebratory tournament, it felt even more special to be there.

England v Germany, Euro 2022 final, Wembley Stadium – 31 July

140mm lens 1/2000 f4 ISO 2500

Chloe Kelly pokes home the winning goal for England during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31st 2022.

Some days the luck goes for you, some days it doesn’t. The most memorable image from the day the Lionesses won the Euros is the one of Chloe Kelly ripping off her top and waving it above her head after she scored the winning goal. Unfortunately for me she did that while running in the opposite direction. I did manage to get a nice clear frame of her vital goal in extra time, at least.

560mm lens 1/1600 f4 ISO 2500

Alessia Russo of England celebrates victory on the final whistle during the Women’s Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31st 2022.

As the final whistle blew at Wembley, the scenes of celebration among England players and fans were just fantastic. It felt like the whole stadium exploded with joy. I just tried to focus on the nearest player to me. Thankfully it was the charismatic Alessia Russo, who had become such a star during the tournament. She didn’t let me down.

Adam Peaty, men’s 50m breaststroke final, Commonwealth Games, Birmingham – 2August

400mm lens 1/2000 f4 ISO 4000

Adam Peaty of England celebrates winning the men’s 50m breaststroke final on day five of the Commonwealth Games at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on August 2nd 2022 in Birmingham.

Two days earlier Peaty suffered perhaps the biggest shock in Commonwealth Games history as he finished fourth in the men’s 100m breaststroke final. He came roaring back in the 50m to prove his doubters wrong. Peaty thumped his chest, punched the water and bellowed out a loud roar. No wonder he has a lion tattoo on his shoulder.

Men’s pole vault final, Commonwealth Games, Birmingham – 6 August

28mm lens 1/2000 f6.3 ISO 2500

Harry Coppell of England makes an attempt and goes on to win the bronze in the men’s pole vault during the evening athletics session on day nine of the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium on August 5th 2022 in Birmingham.

We were lucky with the weather during the Games in Birmingham. On one such beautiful evening I managed to get access to the infield to photograph the final stages of the pole vault final. The best of the sunset lasted only a few minutes and there was only one attempt, this one by England’s Harry Coppell, while the sky was orange.

England v South Africa, third Test, The Oval – 10 September

29mm lens 1/2500 f10 ISO 400

Stuart Broad bats for England late in the day under stormy-looking skies during day three of the England v South Africa 3rd test match at the Kia Oval on September 10th 2022 in London.

England’s lower order were batting late in the day when the ground was suddenly lit up by a ray of sunshine. It seemed weird as we were surrounded by dark, menacing skies. In between overs, I quickly moved up to a vantage point not far from where I was shooting the game. I’m glad I did.

Roger Federer retires, Laver Cup, O2 Arena – 24 September

400mm lens 1/2000 f2.8 ISO 4000

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in tears and holding hands after their doubles game v Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, the final match before Federer’s retirement, during day one the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena on September 23rd 2022 in Greenwich, London.

It had gone midnight when Federer lost his final professional match, a doubles contest with Rafael Nadal against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. It was during one of the post-match tributes that, for a few brief seconds, Federer held hands with Nadal. The two tennis icons were both sobbing away – it was an amazing and touching moment between long-time rivals and great friends.

England v Germany, Nations League, Wembley – 26 September

70mm lens 1/1250 f4 ISO 3200

The two teams line up for a minute’s silence in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II just before kick off during the UEFA Nations League match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on September 26th 2022 in London.

As a tribute to the late Queen, the two teams lined up on the centre circle as the lights were dimmed and a spotlight trained on the centre of the pitch. It was England’s first match since the monarch’s death in mid-September. Thousands of phone flashlights illuminated the background like stars as the stadium fell silent. It was a very powerful and moving moment.

Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall, O2 Arena – 15 October

600mm lens 1/1250 f4 ISO 8000

Claressa Shields (right) punches Savannah Marshall (left) during the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO World Middleweight Title fight during the historic all-women boxing card at the O2 Arena on October 15th 2022 in London.

October’s all-female card was a real breakthrough night for women’s boxing. The arena was packed and the headline acts didn’t disappoint. Shields and Marshall, who before the fight had openly expressed their dislike for each other, put on a great fight. But it was Shields who really took the plaudits, producing a fantastic performance to win convincingly.

Ondine Achampong, world artistic gymnastics championships, Liverpool – 30 October

43mm lens 1/2000 f2.8 ISO 5000 multiple exposure

A multiple exposure showing Ondine Achampong of Great Britain competing on the vault during women’s qualifications at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the M&S Bank Arena on October 30th 2022 in Liverpool.

One of the reasons I love shooting gymnastics is that it opens up the opportunities to be a bit more creative. This image is a multiple exposure created in camera from nine frames. Normally for this sort of picture I would look for the cleanest background and keep the camera very still. However, after a few moments of trial and error, I thought I would try to create a different effect by moving my framing while shooting.

Harry Kane, England v France, World Cup quarter-final, Qatar – 10 December

560mm lens 1/1600 f4 ISO 4000

A dejected Harry Kane of England looks to the sky seconds before the referee blows the final whistle during the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-final match between England and France at the Al Bayt Stadium on December 10th 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

The dejected England captain looks to the sky just seconds before the referee blows the final whistle at the Al Bayt Stadium. It’s the realisation that his missed penalty just a few minutes earlier was going to be so costly. To try and show his face clearer and separate him more from the background I had quickly put on a converter on my lens just a minute before this shot.

Lionel Messi, Argentina v France, World Cup final, Qatar – 18 December

35mm lens 1/1250 f4 ISO 3200

Lionel Messi of Argentina shows off the trophy to fans as he is carried around the pitch during the celebrations after the FIFA World Cup 2022 Final between Argentina and France at Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 18th 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

I think this was the moment I had dreamed of before the final. I think all the photographers there that night knew of the famous Maradona pictures, being chaired around the pitch while holding the trophy, from Mexico 1986 and I think all of them, like me, were hoping for something similar for Messi. For quite a while after the trophy presentation it seemed nothing was going to happen and I was getting a bit fed up. Friends, family and Salt Bae were on the pitch, nothing was organised and frankly it was a bit of a mess.

I had positioned myself behind the goal where the World Cup was won to see various people cutting up the net with scissors. I felt like this was where something could happen, because none of the hard core Argentina fans had left from the stands behind that goal. A couple of the players hopped up onto the cross bar. I started to photograph them. Then all of a sudden a crowd swept through the goal and there he was, almost right in front of me, on Sergio Agüero’s shoulders and carrying the trophy. It was pandemonium. I was right next to the advertising boards and got crushed by the weight of photographers and TV crews pushing up behind me, everyone was desperate for the shot. Even though it didn’t last long, I don’t think I will ever forget it – the crowning moment for the king of modern football.

source: theguardian.com