 "Novak Djokovic, Aitana Bonmati crowned at Laureus World Sports Awards")
Tennis player Novak Djokovic was named World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony held in Madrid on Monday, while Spanish women’s footballer Aitana Bonmati won individual and team awards.
Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, equalled the tally of his former rival Roger Federer at the prestigious ceremony.
Djokovic, 36, won three Grand Slam titles last year - Australian Open , French Open and US Open - along with the season-ending ATP Finals .
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth,” said Djokovic.
“I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old.
“I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.”
Bonmati won the Sportswoman of the Year award, becoming the first footballer to do so, and was also rewarded along with her Spain teammates for winning the FIFA Women's World Cup last summer in Australia-New Zealand.
La Roja earned the World Team of the Year award for winning the competition for the first time in their history.
“Our national team is a group like no other -– our strength comes from every challenge we have faced, both on and off the field of play,” said Bonmati, who also won the Champions League with her club Barcelona.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBonmati and her teammates were also praised for helping to combat sexism in the Spanish football federation by protesting after disgraced former president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso .
England footballer Jude Bellingham won the World Breakthrough of the Year award for his stunning start to life at Real Madrid, a day after he scored the winner against Barcelona in the Clasico .
Bellingham is the Spanish club’s top goalscorer with 21 goals across all competitions in his first season.
Gymnastics star Simone Biles won the World Comeback of the Year award for her triumphant return to the sport after nearly a two-year mental health break .
Biles, a three time World Sportswoman of the year winner, won four gold medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium last year.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal’s foundation to help youngsters in Spain and India won the Sport for Good award, while Diede de Groot earned the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.
The Dutch wheelchair tennis player claimed an unparalleled third consecutive calendar Grand Slam last year.
Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old Australian skateboarder, won the World Action Sportsperson of the Year award.
2024 Laureus World Sports Awards winners:
World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
World Sportswoman of the Year: Aitana Bonmati (Football)
World Team of the Year: Spain women’s football team
World Breakthrough of the Year: Jude Bellingham (Football)
World Comeback of the Year: Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
World Sportsperson of the Year with Disability: Diede De Groot (Tennis)
World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Arista Trew (Skateboarding)
Sport for Good: Rafael Nadal Foundation
(with inputs from AFP)
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