Ameyaw Debrah, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana
Kenyan long distance runner, Vivian Cheruiyot and South Africa's "Blade Runner," Oscar Pistorius made Africa proud winning awards at the just ended Laureus World Sports Awards. The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London.
Oscar Pistorius, dubbed the ‘Blade Runner’ because he uses carbon fibre blades, was presented with the Laurels Disability Award, after becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in the non-disabled World Championships, a silver in the 4 x 400 metres relay.
The Laurels Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Kenya’s extraordinary distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot, who won both 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold medals at the World Championships in Daegu.
Among the highlights were a record-equalling fourth Laurels Award for US surfer Kelly Slater and a double success for Northern Ireland golf with both Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy being honoured. FC Barcelona at last won the Laurels Team of the Year Award after their fourth Nomination. The Laurels World Sports Awards are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.
The winners are chosen by the Laurels World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic was acclaimed Laurels World Sportsman of the Year after his remarkable 2011 when he won three Grand Slam events – the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – and took away the tennis world No 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal.
Winners of the Champions League and the Spanish League in the 2010/11 season, under coach Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona won the Laurels World Team of the Year Award. Northern Ireland golf celebrated two Awards.
Brilliant young star Rory McIlroy, 22, was named winner of the Laurels World Breakthrough of the Year Award after winning the US Open, his first Major Championship, while Darren Clarke received the Laurels Comeback Award after his Open Championship victory at Royal St.George’s at his 20th attempt and at the age of 42.
American surfing giant Kelly Slater was named Laurels Action Sportsperson of the Year. It was his fourth Laurels Award, equalling the record of Roger Federer, the only other four-time winner.
England football legend Bobby Charlton was awarded the Laurels Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable career. Former Brazilian international footballer Raí, now a campaigner for social justice, won the Laurels Sport for Good Award.
Meanwhile, Sir Bobby Charlton was unable to receive the Laurels Lifetime Achievement Award in person at the Laurels World Sports Awards in London. Sir Bobby felt unwell on Sunday and returned to Manchester earlier today for minor surgery.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said ‘Sir Bobby is fine, but it was felt he should go back to Manchester. He is very annoyed not to be here to receive this Award. I’ll be taking the Statuette back to Old Trafford for him. He loves the work he does for Laurels and I know how delighted he is to have received this tribute.”
Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laurels World Sports Academy, said: “On behalf of my fellow members I would like to congratulate Sir Bobby on this well-deserved Award. He is one of the most enthusiastic Academy Members and has done some great work over the years to help young people.
He was in good form in our Academy Meeting and contributed on a range of issues. It’s a shame we were not able to congratulate him in person. Next time we are all together we will be giving him a huge round of applause on behalf of the sports fans of the world.”
Among the other guests present from the world of entertainment and fashion were Bryan Ferry who performed on stage as well as segment host British actress Thandie Newton, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, American actor Luke Wilson and Israeli actress and model Bar Refaeli. Other sports guests included: Schalk Burger Jr, Paul Collingwood, David Coulthard, Johan Cruyff, Lawrence Dallaglio, Daniel Dias, Cadel Evans, Alex Ferguson, Ruud Gullit, Gavin Hastings, Tim Henman, Kelly Holmes, Petra Kvitova, Lennox Lewis, Barry McGuigan, Matthew Pinsent, Oscar Pistorius, Alan Shearer, Edwin van der Sar, Esther Vergeer, Patrick Vieira, Andre Villas-Boas and Arsene Wenger.
Full list of winners:
World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic
World Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot
World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona
World Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy
World Comeback of the Year: Darren Clarke
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oscar Pistorius
World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater
The Lifetime Achievement Award : Bobby Charlton and Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Kenyan long distance runner, Vivian Cheruiyot and South Africa's "Blade Runner," Oscar Pistorius made Africa proud winning awards at the just ended Laureus World Sports Awards. The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London.
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