NEWS – The 2023 Laureus World Sport Awards took place in Paris

HIGHLIGHTS

• Novak Djokovic’s Achievement
  • Named World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time.
  • Djokovic’s accomplishment matches Roger Federer’s tally, highlighting his dominance in tennis.
  • The award recognized Djokovic’s exceptional performance, including winning three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals in the previous year.
• Aitana Bonmati’s Double Win
  • Aitana Bonmati became the first footballer to win the Sportswoman of the Year award.
  • She also received recognition as part of Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning team, earning the World Team of the Year award.
  • Bonmati’s achievements highlighted her success on both the national and club levels, playing for Barcelona.
• Spain’s Women’s World Cup Victory
  • Spain’s national team, La Roja, earned the World Team of the Year award for winning the Women’s World Cup for the first time in history.
  • This recognition reflects the team’s unity, resilience, and success in a major international competition.
• Jude Bellingham’s Breakthrough
  • England’s Jude Bellingham was awarded the World Breakthrough of the Year for his impressive performance at Real Madrid.
  • Bellingham’s standout performances, including a crucial goal in the Clasico against Barcelona, contributed to his recognition.
• Rafael Nadal’s Foundation and Other Awards
  • Rafael Nadal’s foundation, focusing on helping youngsters in Spain and India, won the Sport for Good award.
  • Diede de Groot earned the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award, recognizing her achievements in sports despite challenges.

LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS

• Origin and Purpose
  • Established in 1999 by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation founding patrons Daimler and Richemont.
  • Aims to honour outstanding individuals and teams in sports and recognize their achievements throughout the year.
• Supporting Partners
  • Supported by global partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
  • Collaborates with these partners to promote and celebrate the power of sports.
• Symbolism Behind “Laureus”
  • The name “Laureus” is derived from the Greek word for laurel, symbolizing victory in athletics.
  • Reflects the spirit of achievement and excellence celebrated by the awards.
• Award Categories and Recognition
  • Awards are presented annually in eight categories, with occasional discretionary categories recognized irregularly.
  • Each recipient receives a Laureus statuette crafted by Cartier, symbolizing their exceptional contributions to sports.