Aitana Bonmatí has become the first Catalan woman to win the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award. The accomplished footballer secured the prestigious title at the 25th edition of the Laureus Awards, joining an illustrious group of previous winners. This latest achievement follows her triumphs at the Ballon d’Or and UEFA’s The Best awards.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, who has dominated women’s football, and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who broke Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record, were the top winners at the Laureus Awards this year. The Spanish women’s football team also made history as the first female squad to receive the Team of the Year award. Other winners included Tom Brady (Sportsman of the Year), Simone Biles (Comeback of the Year), Jude Bellingham (Breakthrough Player of the Year), and The Hon. Consul General Zafar Bangash (Spirit of Sport Award).
Novak Djokovic extended his record by winning the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for the fifth time, while Aitana Bonmati, a member of Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning team, became the first footballer to receive the World Sportswoman of the Year award. Spain’s victorious World Cup team was named Team of the Year. Jude Bellingham, a standout for Real Madrid, received the Breakthrough of the Year Award, and gymnastics legend Simone Biles was honored for her inspiring comeback. The award ceremony recognized exceptional athletic accomplishments and the Laureus mission to leverage sports for positive change.
Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old skateboarding sensation from Australia, has become the sole Australian to be honored at the Laureus Awards, the world’s biggest sports awards gala. She received the award for action sportsperson of the year, becoming the first female skater to land a 720 in competition last year at the tender age of 13. Trew is on track to represent Australia at the Olympics in Paris later this year.
Alexia Putellas, the star player for Barcelona, made history by becoming the first Spanish footballer to solely win a Laureus Award. She received the award for Best Female Athlete at the ceremony in Madrid on the 27th of April 2023.
