A dramatic image of a summer sporting moment earned a Press Association photographer a top international award.

Gareth Copley, left, has won the Sports Action section of the World Press Photo competition, one of the most highly regarded prizes in world press photography.

Copley’s picture showed England’s Jonathan Trott being run out in the fifth Ashes test match in London last summer.

The contest is open to all professional press photographers and is judged by picture editors, photographers and representatives of press agencies from across the world.

Said Gareth: “It is a massive honour and I’m absolutely delighted. It is the Nobel Prize for photography.

“There was a lot of luck involved. It was the first day of an Ashes Test at the Oval and things were not really going my way for five hours, and then suddenly Jonathan Trott is run out.

“I enjoy taking cricket pictures but you have to be patient. All of a sudden, a wicket might fall or a boundary be struck and you have to be ready.”

Press Association group picture editor Martin Keene added: “Gareth is an enormously talented photographer with a passion for cricket, and his success is richly deserved. We are all very proud of him.”

The 29-year-old, originally from Dewsbury, will collect his award in Amsterdam at the end of April.

Here is his winning image.

Comments

Andy Thompson (15/02/2010 12:13:06)
Superb photograph Gareth. Well done.

Glenn Phillips (15/02/2010 14:00:12)
Cracking pic.. you can wait a few summers for one like that to come along.

Rob Lovett (15/02/2010 14:17:59)
Well Done Gareth, Great Pic-patience pays off!

Ian Day (15/02/2010 22:08:56)
Nice one Young Gareth !!!

Gail Ward (16/02/2010 11:07:09)
Great shot Gareth – here’s to more recognition ini the future! Well done.

Graham Lindley (16/02/2010 17:07:33)
Excellent image Gareth taken with spot on timing,great to see a Dewsbury lad get international acclaim

Tom Yeoman / Sunderland Echo (17/02/2010 15:46:54)
What a cracker, Gareth. Well done. Definately one for the rest of us to file in the “wish I’d taken it” drawer.

keith Taylor (10/03/2010 13:36:54)
Its got the lot..well done