Tom Jenkins' pictures of the year

Frimley Green, January 7: a darts fan in a wrestling mask at the BDO World Professional Darts championship at the Lakeside. Due to the new smoking regulations, we won't see this sort of thing anymore at darts competitions. People will have to go for a puff outside. Darts fans are wonderful subjects and never fail to amuse me. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Perton, January 28: a competitor helps a friend out of a pit filled with mud and straw during Tough Guy 2007. One of the most disgusting events of the year. I don't know why these crazy people do it. Just to show how tough this event actually is, even photographers (namely me) end up with pneumonia after it. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Cardiff, February 25: Julio Baptista of Arsenal feels the full force of a challenge from Michael Essien during the Carling Cup final. There is no love lost between these two sides. That's why I love photographing them clash because their matches often produce spiky moments like this. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Liverpool, March 3: Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville of Manchester United celebrate their vital 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. At the home of their arch rivals, United nick a last-minute winner that proves decisive in their title challenge. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Cheltenham, March 16: Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, crashes through the final fence but still goes on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, thus claiming a £1m bonus. Like in many other races he clattered the last but got away with it. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

London, April 22: an elite wheelchair athlete emerges from Blackfriars tunnel during the London Marathon. During the race, Mark Telford emerged from the cool tunnel back into the fierce sun. Having covered the event many times I had noticed that the tunnel could make quite a surreal backdrop to the solitary competitor. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Athens, May 23: Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard leaves the field after losing the Champions League final to AC Milan. I particularly like the fact he has turned his losers' medal around on to his back. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Athens, May 23: world player of the year Kaka gets his hands on the Champions League trophy after Milan's win against Liverpool. The ticker-tape and smoke make this such an atmospheric panorama. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Isle of Man, May 28: vintage bikes cross the finish line in St Johns, during one of the races to mark the centenary of the event. A special race was run over the original circuit with many vintage bikes from the last 100 years taking part. Some of the islanders even dressed up in period clothing to make the scene even more authentic. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

London, June 29: the imperious Roger Federer in action on Centre Court, destroying Marat Safin. In this picture I was trying to capture one of the greatest moves in sport, Federer running round his backhand to play a cross-court forehand on his way to the men's singles title. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Goudhurst, July 8: the peloton ride during stage one of the Tour de France. It went through a part of Kent I knew well from childhood so when the route was announced I knew exactly where to go. As I was covering the stage on the back of a motorbike, I made sure I was well in advance of the peloton when it came through this village. Luckily there was a lorry parked in exactly the right spot for me so I climbed on to the cab's roof and it was just what I wanted. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Carnoustie, July 22: Irish golfer Padraig Harrington hugs his son Patrick on the 18th green after his play-off victory over Sergio García to win the Open. After 72 holes, Harrington thought he had blown it by double-bogeying the last. But a big hug from his son had put his mind right immediately and he was in the right mental state for his eventual triumph. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Isle of Wight, August 8: taken from a helicopter, a view of the Laser Class fleet competing during Cowes Week. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Paris, October 20: during the World Cup final with South Africa, England captain Phil Vickery lies concussed and broken after he has been at the bottom of a ruck near his own try-line. He looks ghost-like with the white paint from the line smeared across his face. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

London, September 8: England's Shaun Wright-Phillips is sent flying by a vicious tackle from Israeli defender Yoav Siv during their Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley. I have never seen a foul like this before where the ball has ended up on the defender's stomach. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Hertfordshire, November 11: the day before the Croatia match at Wembley, England head coach Steve McClaren shows off his cheesy grin to a packed press conference. He was all smiles as he had been given a lifeline by Israel beating Russia the previous weekend. Just 24 hours later the smile disappeared quite rapidly. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian

Twickenham, December 1: taken after the Barbarians' victory over South Africa, Jason Robinson swaps shirts with World Player of the Year Bryan Habana. Robinson retired after this match, bringing an end to a fantastic career across both codes of the game. He was great for pictures and I will certainly miss him. Photograph: Tom Jenkins /Guardian