OLYMPIC race walker Dominic King described his Colchester sports award as the “icing” on a successful 2016.

The 33-year-old received the Male Sports Personality prize at Monday's Sport Colchester Sports Personality of the Year awards, held at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

It came a month after securing a time of three hours, 55 minutes and 48 seconds and finishing fourth at the 50-kilometre German International race walk, beating his previous best by 3m 34s.

That helped King clinch the 2017 World Championships qualifying time set by British Athletics and he is now second on the all-time British list behind five-time Olympian Chris Maddocks.

“I’ve had highs and lows this year but it’s nice to be finishing it on a high," said the Colchester Harriers member.

“Now I’ve got this award, for the second year in a row, and it’s the icing on the cake.

“It’s so nice to be honoured locally and it means more than anything.

“It's great just to be part of this event, which showcases so much positive sporting activity going on in Colchester.

“I’m not a funded athlete but things like this make it all worthwhile.

“There are people out there willing to put nominations in and I’d like to thank whoever nominated me.

"I don’t know who that person was, but I'm really grateful to them for taking the time to write such nice things."

The German International race walk, in Andernach, was King’s first major 50km race walk since this summer’s Olympic Games disappointment, in Rio.

He suffered heartbreak after being disqualified following three “bent knee” warnings, having been on course for a personal best.

However, having ended his year on a high note, King is already looking forward to next year and the World Championships, in London, in August.

“This is a prestigious award to win and it spurs me on, looking ahead to next year. Absolutely.

“My goal is to keep going until Tokyo and make it to three Olympics.

“But my shorter-term goal is to race in London next year, at the World Championships.

“That would be a World Championship, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games all in my own country.

“Not many people get the opportunity to do that in one event, let alone three. That might even be a record and it would be a real honour."

The Female Male Sports Personality prize went to top triathlete Melissa Dowell.

Sailor Saskia Clark, who struck gold at this year's Olympics in Rio, was a deserving winner of the Premier Sports Personality of the Year category.

For full coverage of the awards, see pages 36 and 37.