Bolt beats Roger Federer to world sportsman title, again
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won his second straight Laureus Sportsman of the Year award today and American tennis player Serena Williams won the women’s prize for the second time.
Bolt won three gold medals at last year’s athletics world championships and set world records in the 100 and 200-metre races. Williams won the Australian Open and Wimbledon and regained the No. 1 ranking.
Speaking from Jamaica, where Bolt is training, the sprinter said he aims to “keep winning, keep running and breaking records.”
“Anything is possible,” Bolt said. “I just need to keep working hard and keep breaking records. That’s the aim for me.”
Bolt beat Roger Federer to the title for the second straight year. Federer, a four-time Laureus winner, was also shortlisted this year after the Swiss tennis star surpassed Pete Sampras in 2009 for the most major singles titles, winning his sixth Wimbledon and taking his first French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.
Williams also won the Sportswoman of the Year award in 2003, and then claimed the Comeback of the Year award in 2007.
The Laureus Sports Awards recognise achievements in 2009.