Djokovic, Barcelona honored at 2012 Laureus awards
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E-mail China Daily, February 7, 2012
Novak Djokovic was acclaimed Laureus World Sportsman of the year on Monday.
The Serbian tennis player won Australian, Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slams in his remarkable 2011. He also took away the tennis world No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal.
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Tennis player Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses his award at the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, central London, February 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
The first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title, Djokovic is also the youngest player to edge into the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in the open era at the age of 24.
Although his level of performance dropped a little bit at the end of this season, Djokovic still proved his dominance with a 70-6 record.
Legendary tennis player Pete Sampras described his season as "the best I have seen in my lifetime".
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Tennis Player Novak Djokovic (R) and his girlfriend Jelena Ristic pose for photographs as they arrive for the the Laureus World Sports Awards 2012 in central London Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies] |
Kenyan runner Vivian Cheruiyot won the Laureus Award on Monday as the best Sportswoman of the Year.
She snatched gold medals of both 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Daegu.
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Kenyan athlete Vivian Cheruiyot poses for photographs with her award at the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, central London, February 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
One of the great distance runners of this generation, Cheruiyot, 29, ran a final kilometer in the 5,000 meters competition of 2 minutes and 41.76 seconds, the fastest ever in World Championship history.
In the 10,000 meters, she finished as her personal best with 30 minutes 48.98 seconds. Earlier this year Cheruiyot won the World Cross-Country Championship in Punta Umbria in Spain.
Following is the full list of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Award winners:
1. Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Tennis -- won Australian, Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slams
2. Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya)
Athletics -- won World Championship 5k and 10k and cross-country title
3. Laureus World Team of the Year
Winner: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Football -- won Champions League and Spanish League in 2010/11
4. Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year
Winner: Rory Mcllroy (Britain)
Golf -- at 22, won US Open, his first Major Championship
5. Laureus World Comeback of the Year
Winner: Darren Clarke (Britain)
Golf -- at 42, recovered from slump in form to win Open Championship
6. Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Winner: Oscar Pistorius (South Africa)
Athletics -- first amputee to win track medal in non-disabled World Championships
7. Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Kelly Slater (United States)
Surfing -- won 11th World Surfing Championship at 39
There were two additional awards: The Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award went to England football legend Bobby Charlton, while the Laureus Sport for Good Award was given to Rai Souza Vieira de Oliveira, a former Brazilian footballer who is a social justice campaigner now.
