“Never underestimate the heart of a champion!”
– Doc Rivers
Acclaimed basketball professional, Doc Rivers, is absolutely right. A true champion is unbeatable in spirit as they have to undergo a lot of hurdles and win a ton of battles to attain glory. I believe all sportsmen are champions in their own way. After all, sport is nothing short of a battle. Whether you win or lose, you have to shed a lot of blood and tears. However, it is all worth it. Today, when wars are no longer that common, sports are deemed to be one of the only arenas wherein one can not only make their name but also bring glory to their country.
Even though sports is a big part of modern life, its history dates back to at least 30,000 years. It was formalized by the Ancient Greeks when they started the Olympics in 776 BC. Centuries later, the Olympics are still a big event where all the major nations take part. In addition to the Olympics, we now have a number of sports competitions like the World Cup and the Wimbledon. Men and women give up their entire lives in the pursuit of attaining a title in the sports world.
To honor the incredible sacrifice and efforts of these relentless men and women, Daimer and Richemont, founders of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, came up with the Laureus World Sports Award in 1999. The award is presented to individuals and teams to commemorate their achievements in the preceding year. Every year, one exemplary sportsman is awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year to celebrate their outstanding performance. Since 2000, a number of legendary sportsmen have been the recipients of this prestigious prize. However, only a few of them have won it more than once.
Let us remember the champions who won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year multiple times.
Roger Federer
Number of Wins: 6
Sport: Tennis
Swiss tennis player,Roger Federer, has a record win of 6 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year. He was an exemplary player who awed the world with his skills with the racket. In his career, he made a number of records. He was not only ranked first in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 310 weeks, he held the title for 237 back-to-back weeks. In addition to that, he also achieved the year-end number 1 five times. He won a number of single championships and made another record by winning eight singles titles at the Wimbledon. He also made an Open Era joint-record five men’s singles and a joint-record six year-end championships at the US Open. Indeed, he deserves all his six laurels.
Usain Bolt
Number of Wins: 4
Sport: Athletics
Usain St. Leo Bold is perhaps the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen. The currently retired Jamaican amazed the world time and again by breaking the records of 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4 × 100 meters relay events. He won the Olympic gold medal eight times. Also, he is an eleven-time World Champion. It is no wonder that he won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year four times.
Novak Djokovic
Number of Wins: 4
Sport: Tennis
Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic is the only one to be the ruling champion of all four majors across three different surfaces at once. Currently, the world No. 1 in singles as ranked by the Association of Tennis Professionals, Djokovic has won a staggering 96 singles titles and is the only player to complete a career Golden Masters not once but twice.
Tiger Woods
Number of Wins: 2
Sport: Golf
I am sure that there are only a few people in this world who have not heard of Tiger Woods. Though his personal life is controversial, Eldrick Tont Woods, best known as Tiger Woods, was undeniably one of the greatest golfers. He made a number of golf records, holds the second rank in men’s major championships, and is joint title holder for the PGA Tour wins. Woods is also an honored member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. It is no surprise that he was the first sportsman to receive the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year in 2000. He also won the award the next year in 2001.
Michael Schumacher
Number of Wins: 2
Sport: Formula One
Retired German racing driver, Michael Schumacher is known to one and all. The lightning-fast racer competed in Formula One for Ferrari, Mercedes, Jordan, and Benetton. He made a number of records during his racing career. Along with holding the record for the number of total fastest laps, he has a joint record of seven World Drivers’ Championship titles, among many other prestigious records. Michael Schumacher won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year two times.
Rafael Nadal
Number of Wins: 2
Sport: Tennis
Rafael Nadal is yet another tennis player who won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year more than once. The Spanish sportsman is one of the only two tennis players to compete in the Career Golden Slam in singles. In the Opra Era, she awed the world with his 81 consecutive wins on clay. Nadal has also been ranked No. 1 in singles for 209 weeks by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He achieved the year-end No. 1 five times, along with winning 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
Lionel Messi
Number of Wins: 2
Sport: Football
Who doesn’t know the legendary football star, Lionel Andres Messi? The Argentinian is the only football player to have won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year. Leo Messi has been awing the world ever since his debut in 2004. Since then, he has made a number of records in the world of football, earning himself millions of loyal fans.
Conclusion
The Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year is as prestigious as the Oscar in the world of sports. Sportsmen all over the world dream to receive this award one day. Moreover, the award has a noble backstory. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has initiated about 160 programs in over 40 countries with the aim of using sports as a means to put an end to discrimination and violence. Winning the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year is indeed an honor.
Do comment and let me know about your thoughts on the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year.
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I have an immense admiration for athletes. I think it takes as much mental power as it does physical prowess to get to where these men got.
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Absolutely! The dedication, discipline, and mental fortitude required to excel in sports are truly remarkable. Athletes often face numerous challenges and setbacks along their journey, and it’s their mental resilience and determination that enable them to push through and achieve greatness. It’s inspiring to witness their unwavering commitment to their craft.
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