Isaan Khan
Daily Mail
His portfolio comprises of three varied sports-focused interviews. They include a revelatory interview with an ex-Team GB runner involved in one of the most controversial moments in Olympics history, a shocking disclosure by the mother of renowned ex-world champion boxer Ricky Hatton and an uncovering of the UK’s first female refereeing official in the highest football division.
All three pieces demonstrate an engaging writing style laced with structure, revealing new information of public interest and sheer impact.
Khan’s interview with ex-Team GB athlete Zola Budd set the agenda. He travelled to South Africa to speak to the former star, who was involved in that tangle with US rival Mary Decker on the running track. The moment was global news at the time and has been revisited in most Olympic years.
In the sit-down, Zola revealed information she has never divulged in the 40 years since the controversial incident.
That included suicidal thoughts and not letting her children run because of her experience. It is an extraordinary read laced with emotion — and particularly timely, the interview coinciding with the Paris Olympics. It took Khan four months to land it.
His second piece with Carol Hatton, the mother of famous fighter Ricky, was staggering. Carol and husband Ray previously had a well-documented fall-out with their son which lasted seven years, before reconciling in 2019.
No one was aware that, somehow, the relationship had again broken down four years later which made Khan’s interview all the more startling.
Khan extracted barely believable details such as Carol admitting nearly overdosing on prescription drugs, suicidal thoughts and a written letter to her son which was used on MailOnline.
The interview was the MailOnline banner for both the News and Sport sections — a feat that is very rare.
Finally, his talk with the Premier League’s first female refereeing official Wendy Toms was another eye-opening piece. The League proudly announced Rebecca Welch would be their first female referee in December 2023 — more than 30 years on from the competition’s creation.
But Khan found out that Toms was in fact the first in any refereeing capacity in the League, and that was back in 1997 — a fact that had been overlooked by everyone.
The interview, published the day before Welch’s debut, revealed a shocking tale of sexism, abuse and feeling forgotten about (please see the video on MailOnline link provided – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12894321/Wendy-Toms-Premier-Leagues-lineswoman-recalls-disgust-interview.html Her disclosure of being categorised as ‘Mr Toms’ and often being overlooked because of her gender makes difficult reading.
The FA confirmed they are considering recognition for Toms.