London - The Iowa Hawkeyes have won the December Best Sporting Moment competition and are now nominated for the final Best Sporting Moment public vote.

Hawkeyes supporters have started an emotional and heart-warming tradition in the ‘Kinnick Wave’. The wave sees supporters at the Hawkeyes’ Kinnick Stadium wave to the young people on the tenth floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital at the end of the first quarter of each home fixture. A simple gesture which has an incredible positive impact on the lives of sick children.

The Hawkeyes’ Moment will now join Bradley Lowery and Jermain Defoe, Kimi Räikkönen and his 6-year-old fan Thomas Danel, Chapecoense football team and inspirational 18-year-old motor racing driver Billy Monger as the five Best Sporting Moment Nominees for the 2018 Laureus Awards.

Each month, from August to December, sports fans selected their favourite Moment from a shortlist of six videos, chosen by the sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The five monthly winners will now go head-to-head in a final public vote, with the winner being announced on stage at the 2018 Laureus Awards Ceremony on February 27 in Monaco.

The Laureus Best Sporting Moment Award demonstrates qualities such as fair play, sportsmanship, drama and dedication, and looks beyond the scoreboard or podium. The Moments symbolise the true values of sport and bring to life the message that sport has the power to change the world.

To view these emotional and engaging Moments and VOTE for your favourite, visit myLaureus.com

Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year - Nominees

August Winner: Tears Turn Into Smiles – Ferrari fan Thomas Danel’s day is turned around when he meets his hero, Kimi Raikkonen          

September Winner: Billy Whizz is back – 18-year-old Formula 4 racer Billy Monger suffers life-changing injury but doesn’t let it hold him back

October Winner: Brave Bradley’s fight – Terminally ill 6-year-old Bradley Lowery inspires football fans through special bond with football star Jermain Defoe

November Winner: Eternal Champions – Chapecoense, the team torn apart by a devastating plane crash, inspires the football community with their miracle revival and comeback, none more so than defender and crash survivor Alan Ruschel

December Winner:  Wave For The Kids – In heart-warming act, Iowa Hawkeyes fans wave to sick kids in the children’s hospital beside their stadium