Who are the 2022 ESPY Awards winners? Full list
Among the many winners on the night - we’ll get into them - we’ve got to give a nod to Vitali Klitschko and Albert Pujols.
Hosted by Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, aired live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theater and loaded with stars from both the sporting and entertainment worlds, the 2022 ESPYs were a show to remember, but who won? Let’s take a look!
Steph Curry hosts while picking up awards at the ESPYs
Being the host of the night, Steph Curry didn’t have to walk far when his named was called to receive not one, but eight different awards on the night. Among those were ‘Best NBA Player,’ ‘Best Record-Breaking Performance’ and a group trophy for ‘Best Team,’ which of course was for his Golden State Warriors. On a night when stars such Dwayne Johnson, Jon Hamm, John Boyega, Ciara, Alison Brie and Hannah Waddingham took the stage, the excitement was palpable as the sporting world’s best were recognized for their efforts over the past year, in a packed house at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater.
Hilariously, Curry was also full of jokes on the night, but at the expense of LeBron James himself. Fresh off a fourth NBA championship, the three-point king took a playful swipe at the Lakers star in his opening monologue. “I am the second NBA player to host this awards show, which is kind of crazy to think about,” Curry noted. “LeBron James, he hosted this awards show back in 2007 after losing in the NBA Finals. So, yes, you guessed it, this feels better.”
Who else won big at the 2022 ESPYs?
There were of course a variety of other notable winners on the night. Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani took home the award for both ‘Best Athlete in Men’s Sports and ‘Best MLB Player,’ swimmer Katie Ledecky was named ‘Best Athlete in Women’s Sports’, while skier Eileen Gu took home the award for ‘Best Breakthrough Athlete.’ There was also Super Bowl winner and Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Cupp, who understandably got his hands on the award for ‘Best Championship Performance,’ along with Curry’s teammate Klay Thompson, who having fought back from severe injury to help win a championship, was a fitting recipient of the ‘Best Comeback Athlete’ award.
There were of course other major names like soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who won the award for ‘Best Play’ and LAFC’s Carlos Vela who took home the award for ‘Best MLS Player.’ Yet, perhaps one of the most special moments of the night, was that owned by St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols who was awarded the coveted ‘Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.’ Pujols, it should be said is the president of the Pujols Family Foundation, which has done incredible work since its inception in 2005: helping the impoverished in his native Dominican Republic and aiding those who live with Down syndrome in the United States. Pujol’s daughter, Isabella, suffers from the genetic disorder.
The list of 2022 ESPY Winners
As always, when it comes to the details, we’ve got you covered. Just take a look below as we broke down the entire list of winners from the 2022 ESPYs for your viewing pleasure:
General Categories
Best Championship Performance: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Eileen Gu, Skiing
Best Athlete, Women’s Sports: Katie Ledecky
Best Athlete, Men’s Sports: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Best Record-Breaking Performance: Stephen Curry most 3-pointers made in NBA history
Best Play: Megan Rapinoe Scores from the Corner
Best Comeback Athlete: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Best Team: Golden State Warriors
Pat Tillman Award for Service: Gretchen Evans
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Dick Vitale
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Vitali Klitschko
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Noor Abukaram, Kendall Dudley, Sydney Moore, Alicia Serratos, Lucy Westlake
Best NWSL Player: Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit
Best MLS Player: Carlos Vela, LAFC
Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Best MMA Fighter: Charles Oliveira
Best NFL Player: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Best NHL Player: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best Bowler: Kyle Troup
Best Boxer: Tyson Fury
Best Driver: Kyle Larson, NASCAR
Best Game: Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in OT
Best Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Best WWE Moment: Cody Rhodes returns to WWE at Wrestlemania
*Please be advised the following video about Vitali Klitschko contains disturbing images*
Athletes With a Disability
Best Athlete with a Disability, Men’s Sports: Brad Snyder, Paratriathlon
Best Athlete with a Disability, Women’s Sports: Jessica Long, Swimming
Action Sports
Best Athlete, Men’s Action Sports: Eli Tomac, Supercross
Best Athlete, Women’s Action Sports: Eileen Gu, Skiing
College
Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports: Bryce Young, Alabama Football
Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma Softball
International
Best International Athlete, Men’s Soccer: Kylian Mbappé, PSG
Best International Athlete, Women’s Soccer: Sam Kerr, Chelsea
Basketball
Best NBA Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker, Chicago Sky
Olympics
Best Olympian, Men’s Sports: Caeleb Dressel, Swimming
Best Olympian, Women’s Sports: Katie Ledecky, Swimming
Golf
Best Athlete, Men’s Golf: Justin Thomas
Best Athlete, Women’s Golf: Nelly Korda
Tennis
Best Athlete, Men’s Tennis: Rafael Nadal
Best Athlete, Women’s Tennis: Emma Raducanu
We hope you enjoyed our look at all the winners from the 2022 ESPYs and be sure to check in with us again soon, as we continue to bring you the best in American Sports coverage!