Simone Biles, a decorated gymnast, made history by winning her fourth Laureus World Sports award in the comeback category. This recognition came after her outstanding performance at the world gymnastics championships in October, where she clinched four gold medals and one silver after taking a two-year break from competition following the Tokyo Games. Biles had previously been nominated for Comeback of the Year in 2022, when she made a successful return from the twisties to win an Olympic balance beam bronze.
In the Sportsman of the Year category, Novak Djokovic claimed his fifth prestigious award, tying Roger Federer’s record. He was up against some of the biggest names in sports such as pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, soccer stars Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, sprinter Noah Lyles, and Formula One driver Max Verstappen. Aitana Bonmati, a Spanish soccer player, won Sportswoman of the Year by beating out contenders like Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin and tennis player Iga Swiatek.
The Laureus Awards also recognized other outstanding achievements in sports. The Spain women’s soccer team was named Team of the Year while Dutch wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot won Sportsperson with Disability. British soccer player Jude Bellingham was named Breakthrough of the Year while Australian skateboarder Arisa Trew won Action Sportsperson of the Year. The recipients were chosen by a panel of 69 esteemed members of the Laureus World Sports Academy which is made up of legendary athletes. The Laureus Awards were founded in 2000 as a way to recognize outstanding achievements in sports.
