In the early hours of February 7 Beijing time, the Laureus Awards, the world’s only global sports awards ceremony, were held in London, UK, at the Westminster Central Hall, just a stone’s throw from Big Ben. The winner of the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award was American surfer Kelly Slater. This marks his fourth Laureus Award, and among all athletes who have won this award, tennis player Roger Federer is the only other to have received it four times.
Kelly Slater had previously won the World Action Sportsperson of the Year award in 2007, 2009, and 2011, making this his fourth time receiving the honor. His total number of Laureus World Sports Awards now stands at four, tying him with Federer as the athlete with the most wins. However, Federer won the Best Male Athlete award four years in a row from 2005 to 2008, which arguably makes the Swiss maestro even greater.
Kelly Slater had previously won the World Action Sportsperson of the Year award in 2007, 2009, and 2011, making this his fourth time receiving the honor. His total number of Laureus World Sports Awards now stands at four, tying him with Federer as the athlete with the most wins. However, Federer won the Best Male Athlete award four years in a row from 2005 to 2008, which arguably makes the Swiss maestro even greater.
Appendix: Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Nominees
Bestwick (UK, BMX), Köster (Germany, Windsurfing), Moore (USA, Surfing), Rees (USA, Snowboarding), Slater (USA, Surfing), Shaun White (USA, Skateboarding/Snowboarding).
