Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Year : 2, Issue : 17
Novak Djokovic was named World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time at the Laureus Awards ceremony on Monday, while Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati won individual and team awards.
Tennis great Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, equalled his former rival Roger Federer’s tally at the prestigeous ceremony in Madrid.
Djokovic, 36, won three Grand Slams last year along with the ATP Finals.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth,” said Djokovic.
Bonmati won the Sportswoman of the Year award, becoming the first footballer to do so, and was also rewarded along with her Spain team-mates for winning the Women’s World Cup last summer.
La Roja earned the World Team of the Year award for winning the competition for the first time in their history.
Bonmati and her team-mates were praised for helping to combat sexism in the Spanish football federation by protesting after disgraced former president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso.
Bellingham is Los Blancos’ top goalscorer with 21 goals across all competitions in his first season at the club.
Source: AFP
