Swim queen Cate Campbell's stunning return from a self-imposed sabbatical has been recognised after being crowned Australian Sportswoman of the Year.
The 28-year-old joined sports royalty by beating former winners Stephanie Gilmore (2011) and Sam Kerr (2017) to the top gong at Wednesday's annual Women In Sport awards in Sydney.
Other nominees for the honour were Paralympic athlete Madison de Rozario, track cyclist Stephanie Morton and weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey.
The sprint champion's triumphant comeback at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships this year was the catalyst for Campbell's win.
After taking a break from racing in 2017, Campbell exercised her Rio Olympics demons with three gold medals at her homes Games before upstaging a strong American contingent to bag another five at Tokyo's Pan Pacs.
The only minor blotch on her record was a bittersweet, shock silver to sibling Bronte in the 100m freestyle final on the Gold Coast.
Campbell's medal-laden return was also deemed worthy of the inaugural Comeback of the Year prize.
Among the other 10 awards handed out on the night, tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley became the fourth Hall of Fame inductee alongside fellow legends Betty Cuthbert, Layne Beachley and Susie O'Neill.
Cricketer Ellyse Perry's Ashes double century of 213no - the third-highest women's Test score in history and an Australian record - was Moment of the Year with her Southern Stars named best 'A-Team'.
Matildas superstar and Ballon d'Or shortlistee Kerr didn't go home empty-handed despite missing out on the main prize, capping another stellar 12 months with the Leadership Legend title.
Women Sport Australia president Carol Fox said voters were spoilt for choice this year given the depth and diversity of top performers across a myriad of sports.
"Award winners including Sam Kerr, Ellyse Perry, Cate Campbell and Evonne Goolagong Cawley aren't just household names in Australia - they are world stars," she said.
2018 AWARD WINNERS
*Sportswoman of the Year - Cate Campbell (swimming)
*Hall of Fame - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (tennis)
*Moment of the Year - Ellyse Perry (cricket)
*A-Team of the Year - Southern Stars (cricket)
*Person of Sporting Influence - Raelene Castle (Rugby Australia CEO)
*Comeback of the Year - Cate Campbell (swimming)
*Local Sporting Champion - Wendy Snowball (mountain biking)
*Leadership Legend - Sam Kerr (football)
*One to Watch - Lucy Bartholomew (ultra-running)
*Outstanding Woman in Sport - Skye Nicolson (boxing)
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
*2011 - Steph Gilmore
*2012 - Anna Meares
*2013 - Sally Fitzgibbons
*2014 - Sally Pearson
*2015 - Anna Meares
*2016 - Kim Brennan
*2017 - Sam Kerr
*2018 - Cate Campbell.
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