Spain's World Cup-winning midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the Sportswoman of the Year, while Serbia's Novak Djokovic captured the top men's honor at the Laureus Awards ceremony on Monday.
Bonmati, who has cemented her place at the top of women's football by winning FIFA's The Best, Ballon d'Or, and World Cup MVP awards among other accomplishments, took to the stage for the second time as the Spanish women's football team was named Team of the Year—the first female squad to win the award.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady handed Djokovic his fifth Laureus award after the top-ranked tennis player enjoyed a remarkable 2023. The Serb matched Australian Margaret Court's all-time record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles after winning the U.S. Open last September, marking the second of his three Grand Slam titles that year, including the Australian and French Opens. He was the runner-up at Wimbledon, reaching the final of all four Grand Slams.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has taken LaLiga by storm in his first season with Real Madrid, was named the Breakthrough Player of the Year, the first footballer to win this award.
American gymnast Simone Biles received the Laureus World Comeback of the Year after winning four gold medals at the World Championships, including a record sixth all-around title following her two-year absence post the Tokyo Olympics.
Skateboarder Arisa Trew was recognized as the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year, while Diede de Groot was honored as the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability after recording her third straight calendar Grand Slam.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation was named the Laureus Sport for Good Award winner for its work in assisting vulnerable young people in Spain and India.
The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, with winners determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The awards have been presented annually since 2000.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
