In a celebration of sporting excellence, Spanish football maestro Aitana Bonmati and tennis icon Novak Djokovic emerged as the illustrious recipients of the Laureus Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year Awards at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony on Monday.
Jamaica's Shericka Jackson was a nominee.
Bonmati, the midfield maestro who played a pivotal role in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign, etched her name in history as the first footballer to claim the coveted Sportswoman of the Year title. Her outstanding achievements, including winning FIFA's The Best and Ballon d'Or accolades, marked her as a standout performer in women's football.
Upon receiving the esteemed accolade from four-time Laureus Award recipient Usain Bolt, Bonmati expressed her profound gratitude and shared her aspirations to inspire the next generation of female athletes. “I am honoured to receive the Laureus for Sportswoman of the Year – and I am also very happy that my international teammates have been recognised as the Team of the Year by the Laureus World Sports Academy.
“It is humbling to see the list of previous winners of this Award. From Serena Williams to Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn, Naomi Osaka and last year’s winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, they are all incredible athletes who have not only excelled in their chosen sports, but been incredible role models for younger generations of young women and girls. To be the first footballer to win this Award makes it even more special and I hope to represent my sport in the same way that those great champions have done.
“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. I believe we have met them all, and I hope that we can be an inspiration to young girls in Spain and around the world, to not just take up football but participate in sport and enjoy all the benefits it brings. At this 25th Laureus Awards, the message of Laureus’ founding Patron, Nelson Mandela, remains true: sport has the power to change the world.
“On a personal level, I would like to thank the Laureus Academy for the Sportswoman of the Year Award. To join a list of winners that includes such great sporting heroes is very special for me – more so because these Awards are voted for by the sporting champions of the Laureus Academy."
Bonmati's triumph was further highlighted as the Spanish women's football team clinched the Team of the Year honour, underscoring their collective prowess and resilience on the global stage.
Novak Djokovic, the indomitable force in men's tennis, seized the spotlight once again as he claimed his fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. Djokovic's remarkable 2023 season, which saw him equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles, solidified his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. 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.
“It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months. I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.
Among the evening's other notable honours was the recognition of England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who was named Breakthrough Player of the Year for his standout performances in LaLiga with Real Madrid.
Simone Biles, the resilient gymnastics icon, received the Comeback of the Year Award, celebrating her unwavering determination and resilience in overcoming adversity.
Additionally, Diede de Groot, the exceptional Dutch wheelchair tennis player, was honoured as the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, while Arisa Trew was recognized as the Action Sportsperson of the Year for her thrilling contributions to extreme sports.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the impactful work of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which was awarded the Laureus Sport for Good accolade for its transformative initiatives using sport as a vehicle for social change.
The Laureus World Sports Awards, featuring nominees selected by global media and winners determined by the esteemed Laureus World Sports Academy, have been a beacon of excellence since their inception in 2000. This year's event showcased the pinnacle of athletic achievement and celebrated the unwavering spirit and dedication of athletes worldwide.
T&T to host inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games
Trinidad & Tobago is set to create history next month when it plays home to the first-ever Special Olympics Regional Beach Games.
The Games is scheduled to run from November 8 to 10 and is being facilitated by Special Olympics T&T (SOTT), with the Digicel Foundation as one of the event’s main sponsors.
This new regional event will bring together 130 athletes, 70 coaches, and delegates from Special Olympics programmes across the Caribbean and North America to compete in a variety of beach sports, including Aquathlon, Beach Bocce, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball and Open Water Swimming, at venues in both Trinidad and Tobago.
Digicel Foundation Chief Executive Officer Penny Gomez said the company was pleased to be associated with such an important event.
“The dedication and commitment demonstrated by our special athletes and coaches is nothing short of inspiring.
“It’s a great honour for T&T to have been selected to host the inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games, and this recognition of our very own SOTT is very well-deserved,” Gomez said.
Special Olympics T&T (SOTT) is the only Special Olympics programme that currently includes the Beach Games as an annual multi-sport event and has done so since 2016.
Bonmati dreaming of more Barcelona titles after Ballon d'Or Feminin win
Aitana Bonmati said she is aiming to win more titles with Barcelona after scooping her second Ballon d'Or Feminin award on Monday.
Bonmati won the 2023 award after helping her club triumph in the Spanish top flight and Women's Champions League, along with leading Spain to their first Women's World Cup.
The Spaniard continued her fine form for club and country the following year, winning every possible trophy at club level last season as Barca secured a historic quadruple.
She was also part of the Spain side that followed up their World Cup success by winning the first edition of the Women's Nations League, scoring in the final against France.
Bonmati's success sees her follow club and international team-mate Alexia Putellas in winning back-to-back Ballons d'Or.
But having won 23 different trophies in her time with Barca's senior side, placing her eighth in the all-time ranking for most titles with the Spanish club, Bonmati still wants more.
"What are my dreams? I always say that what makes me be here and what makes the team win medals is our mindset," she said.
"As long as we continue to be ambitious and keep pushing and fighting, we will continue to win titles."
"I'm so proud to be a part of Barcelona - it's a unique and wonderful club," Bonmati added.
"I'm so thankful because the club has given me everything since I was 14, and I hope to keep winning titles for them."
It was also a memorable evening for Emma Hayes, who won the first Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy after her sensational year with Chelsea and the United States.
Hayes steered Chelsea to a fifth consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) title last season, ending her 12-year stint with the Blues on a high.
She then guided the USWNT to gold at the Paris Olympics, claiming the 17th major honour of her glittering career.
Hayes was not in attendance at the ceremony but recorded a video message, saying she was "embarrassed" about receiving the award.
"I just want to say I'm very honoured to be awarded the first Ballon d'Or for a coach in the women's game. Me and my family are very proud," Hayes said.
"I understand how challenging our work is. I feel a little embarrassed because we're in a team game.
"I've been so honoured to coach such incredible people at Chelsea and the United States."
Bonmati wins second successive Ballon d'Or Feminin
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati scooped the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a second successive year following more club and international success last season.
Bonmati fought off competition from Barcelona team-mates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo as well as Lyon's Ada Hegerberg to win the prize.
The Spaniard enjoyed another stellar year, helping Barca to the Women's Champions League crown, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Lyon in the final.
She finished with the most goal involvements (11, six goals and five assists) in last season's competition.
Bonmati made 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals from midfield and setting up 17 more.
She was also part of the Spain side that followed up their World Cup success by winning the first edition of the Women's Nations League, scoring in the final against France.
Her success sees her follow club and international team-mate Alexia Putellas in winning back-to-back Ballons d'Or.
Hansen finished as the runner-up, with Paralluelo coming third, making it a Barca top three in Paris.
The first Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy was won by former Chelsea boss and current United States head coach, Emma Hayes.
Hayes ended her 12-year stint with the Blues at the end of last season, and went out on the back of clinching her seventh Women's Super League title.
The 48-year-old then led the USWNT to glory in her first tournament in charge, with her side claiming gold at the Paris Olympics.
Spanish and European champions Barca, unsurprisingly, retained the Women's Club of the Year, having won the inaugural award in 2023.
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