Sportsperson of the week: Jamie Vardy

Leicester player broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive games by scoring in 11 games

Just five years ago Jamie Vardy was playing in non-league football and was working part-time in a factory to make ends meet. Now, the 28-year-old is the best player in the Premier League and broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive games with a strike against the Dutchman’s former club Manchester United on Saturday to score in 11 games in a row.

In the process, the England striker remarkably kept Leicester joint top at the end of November. To put it in context, Leicester were rooted to the bottom of the table and were favourites for relegation last November.

PHOTO: AFP

Vardy is the runaway golden boot contender with 14 goals to his name already and can go on to break the Premier League record of 31 league goals in a season.

As reward, the former Stocksbridge Park Steels man is now a full England international — with a part in next year’s European Championships an almost certainty — and is being linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Record Breaker: Jamie Vardy's 11th consecutive goal #LEIMUN pic.twitter.com/YyowQnP3wh

— 🔴 (@therealmogul) November 28, 2015

Honourable mentions

Andy Murray

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Britain’s number one showed his class as he inspired his side to their first Davis Cup title in 79 years, winning both his singles as well as the double.

Rim Jong-Sim

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Finished second in the women’s 75kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships despite being advised by the doctor to not compete. Collapsed thrice while lifting and had to be rushed to the hospital on a stretcher after miraculously lifting 155kg in the clean and jerk lift.

Shahid Afridi

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Pakistan’s skipper showed he’s still got it after his eight-ball 24 almost gave his side an improbable win against England in the second T20I. Afridi was also the best bowler on the night as he claimed 3-15 in his four overs.

Stephen Curry

PHOTO: AFP

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 24 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and extended his team’s unbeaten start to the season to 16 games — an NBA record. The Warriors have since won twice more to improve their record to 18-0.