Bolt, Ennis win Laureus Sports awards
Rio de Janeiro, March 12 : Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and British heptathlete Jessica Ennis won the Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards for their dominant performances at the London Olympics.
Bolt, who also received the award in 2009 and 2010, won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in London to take his career haul to six Olympic gold medals. He was not present at Rio's Municipal Theatre to accept the award Monday night but appeared via video-link, reports Xinhua.
"To win another Laureus is a great honour and even more so because I was up against such difficult competitors. I will definitely be there in 2016. I'm going to start my training gradually to not over-exert myself and be as well prepared as possible in 2016. I'm looking forward to it," Bolt said.
Ennis overcame home pressure by winning the heptathlon, widely regarded as the ultimate all-round athletic test, with a British-record score of 6,955 points.
The team of the year trophy went to Europe's Ryder Cup side after its victory over the United States last September while Scotland's Andy Murray won the breakthrough award for his US Open and Olympic triumphs.
US swimming legend Michael Phelps received the inaugural exceptional achievement award after winning four gold medals at the London Olympics to lift his career Games tally to 18 golds.
The winners were chosen by a panel of 46 sporting identities including Dan Marino, Franz Beckenbauer, Jack Nicklaus and Martina Navratilova.
The following is the list of the 2013 Laureus Awards:
World Sportsman of the Year: Usain Bolt
World Sportswoman of the Year: Jessica Ennis
World Team of the Year: European Ryder Cup Team
World Breakthrough of the Year: Andy Murray
World Comeback of the Year: Felix Sanchez
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Daniel Dias
World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Felix Baumgartner
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sebastian Coe
Exceptional Achievement Award: Michael Phelps