Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic and Ethiopian sprinter Genzebe Dibaba were named the laureus Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively in a glittering ceremony here on Wednesday.
Djokovic pipped lewis Hamilton (UK), Renaud lavillenie (France), Rory McIlroy (UK), Marc Marquez (Spain) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) for the top honour. The Serbian had also won the award in 2012.
“This is probably the crown of my 2014 season that has been highlighted with winning Wimbledon, regaining No 1 in the world and becoming a father. It has probably been my best year so far in my life,” said Djokovic, who won the French Open, Wimbledon and Tour Finals last year, in a message.
Dibaba, who broke three world records in three different events of track and field in two weeks, staved off a fierce challenge from Valerie Adams (NZ), Marit Bjorgen (Norway), Tina Maze (Slovenia), li Na (China) and Serena Williams (USA) to win the most coveted award in the women’s category.
“I am excited for myself, my family and my country. It (award) will give me great encouragement,” said Dilbaba, who is only the third person in history to achieve the feat, along with athletic giants Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt. “I will work hard and plan to bring gold to my country.” The dazzling award ceremony was hosted by Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.
Retired Chinese professional basketball player Yao Ming, Kenyan long-distance runner Tegla loroupe, Chinese gymnast li Xiaopeng and former Chinese short track speed skater Yang Yang were the other athletes inducted into the Academy.
“It is a huge honour standing here, being a new member of the laureus Academy. I never thought that guys whom I watched growing up, I will be sharing the stage with them,” Tendulkar told a packed audience which included the who’s who of international sports. Among other awards, the football World Cup winning Germany side were voted the Team of the Year. The award was collected by team manager Oliver Bierhoff.
Sachin Tendulkar inducted into laureus Sports Academy
Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was on Wednesday inducted as one of the five new members into the prestigious laureus Sports Academy in a glittering annual award ceremony at the Shanghai Grand theatre here. Besides Tendulkar, retired Chinese professional basketball player Yao Ming, Kenyan long-distance runner Tegla loroupe, Chinese gymnast li Xiaopeng and former Chinese short track speed skater Yang Yang were the other athletes to be inducted into the laureus academy.
Fast bowling dying due to cricket overkill: Holding
West Indian legend Michael Holding has been impressed with the growth of fast bowling in India but rued the decline of the art in world cricket due to an overkill of the game. “I was very impressed with Indian fast bowlers, especially Mohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami. It was surprising to me. What has contributed to India’s fast bowling is the changing of the nature of pitches in India,” Holding said. The man who was known as ‘Whispering death’, said fast bowling is dying because of excessive cricket. “What’s killing fast bowlers is the amount of cricket that is being played. It is difficult to maintain your fitness, speed and skill,” he said.