Usain Bolt was the stand-out act in athletics in 2009, winning both the 100m and 200m at the 2009 World Championships, and breaking his own world records in super human displays of sprinting perfection. He also admitted, at the end of the championships, that he was a bit tired coming into the Berlin Games, but he still had more in reserve to beat his own records.
The 23-year-old capped a strong outing when he also led Asafa Powell and team to gold in the 4x100m relay.
Bolt actualised his legendary status by stunning the world in break out performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and he continued to improve on his records at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin last year.
He took 0.11s off his 100m world record, which he set in Beijing with a time of 9.58 seconds and then ran an incredible 19.19 in the 200m.
Bolt said the achievements in Berlin definitely made 2009 eclipse his performances in Beijing in 2008. He spoke to the BBC at the award ceremony:
“For me, it was even better because I had a car accident and bounced back. It shows me that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
“I have got to the stage where I know what winning is and how to keep winning, and I want to keep running, breaking records and winning championships.”
Formula 1 world champion, Jenson Button, from Great Britain, won the Breakthrough of the Year award after claiming the Formula 1 world title last season. The new McLaren driver was rewarded for an F1 season where he won six of the first seven races and remained steadfast to win the championship. It was on the strength of these performances that he switched to McLaren Mercedes racing team after Brawn GP went into financial administration.
He though jokingly reminded the Laureus board that he was not a youngster - that he is actually 30 years of age - and that he did not just start driving.
“Before I started last season, I didn’t know I would be racing in Formula One, so to clinch the title with Brawn in our first season was very emotional for me.
“This is perfect for wrapping up my 2009 season. Tomorrow, I start the 2010 season and hopefully, I can come back here next year and be close to winning one of these awards again.”
25 Grand Slam title winner, Serena Williams, was named Sportswoman of the Year in recognition of a season in which she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon and remained number one at the end of 2009.
Belgian returnee, Kim Clijsters, who beat Serena in the semi-finals of the 2009 US Open, got rewarded with the Comeback of the Year after returning from a two-year absence to win the US Open title.
South African swimmer, Natalie du Toit, received the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability prize and Australian world surfing champion, Stephanie Gilmore, was named Action Sportsperson of the Year.
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