A look at athletes nominated for Laureus World Sportswoman of Year 2024

Published at :March 2, 2024 at 1:11 AM

Modified at :March 2, 2024 at 1:15 AM

(Courtesy : TOI/Dhaka Tribune)

Faith Kipyegon marks her first nomination for the award.

Nominations for the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards have been disclosed, initiating the countdown to the much-anticipated sports extravaganza set to unfold in Madrid on April 22. Revered as the ‘ultimate global athletes’ award,’ ‘The Laureus’ remains the benchmark for excellence in the world of sports, beckoning contenders who aspire to etch their names alongside the all-time great winners.

The Laureus Global Media Panel, consisting of 1,300 members, has chosen six nominees for each of the conventional seven award categories. The concluding phase of the evaluation involves a ballot by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy comprising Olympic champions, world-record breakers, and athletes who have redefined their respective sports. This distinguished group serves as the ultimate jury to determine sporting greatness.

Here is the lineup of contenders for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year 2024, unveiled on Monday, February 26. The victors are set to be honoured on April 22.

Name	Sports	Country
Aitana Bonmatí	Football	Spain
Shericka Jackson	Athletics	Jamaica
Faith Kipyegon	Athletics	Kenya
Sha’Carri Richardson	Athletics	USA
Mikaela Shiffrin	Alpine Skiing	USA
Iga Swiatek	Tennis	Poland

Mikaela Shiffrin

Shiffrin, who set a new record for race victories at the 2023 Alpine Skiing World Cup, shares the World Sportswoman of the Year shortlist with three track athletes – Shericka Jackson, Faith Kipyegon and Sha’Carri Richardson, along with football World Cup winner Aitana Bonmatí and French Open tennis champion Iga Swiatek.

Undoubtedly one of the most exceptional Alpine skiers in history, she achieved a remarkable feat in 2023 by surpassing the 86 World Cup victories of Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark. Concluding the 2022/23 season with her 88th World Cup triumph, she secured the overall, giant slalom and slalom titles.

Additionally, she clinched her seventh World Championship gold medal in giant slalom and earned silver medals in slalom and Super-G. Remarkably, at the age of 18 years and 345 days in 2014, she became the youngest Olympic slalom champion, later adding a second Olympic gold in the giant slalom in 2018.

Having consistently garnered recognition for her outstanding achievements, she has been a contender for Sportswoman of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024, showcasing her sustained excellence in the sporting arena. Additionally, her remarkable comeback in 2021 earned her a spot in the Comeback of the Year category, while her breakthrough performances in 2015 secured her a place in the Breakthrough of the Year category.

Faith Kipyegon

In 2023, she solidified her status as one of the greatest 1500m runners in history. In Budapest, she achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the sole female athlete to clinch victories in both the 1500m and 5000m at the same World Championships. Securing her third 1500m world title, following triumphs in 2017 and 2022, she capped off a sensational year by setting three world records within 49 days – in the 1500m, mile and 5000m.

Her extraordinary 1500m record of 3 minutes and 49.11 seconds marked her as the first woman in history to break the 3-minute 50-second barrier. Adding to her accolades, she holds the distinction of being a double Olympic 1500m champion (2016 and 2020). This year marks her inaugural nomination for Sportswoman of the Year.

Shericka Jackson

One of the three nominees who received their first nomination after achievements at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She delivered a stellar performance by securing her world 200-meter title in 21.41 seconds, the second-fastest time ever recorded only behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 21.34 world record in 1988.

Additionally, she claimed silver medals in the 100 meters and 4×100 meters relay, making her the first athlete in World Championships history to earn medals in the 100, 200 and 400 meters as well as the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays.

Sha’Carri Richardson

Securing her debut nomination in track and field, she had a triumphant performance at the World Championships in Budapest. She clinched the gold medal in the 100 meters; this marked her inaugural major individual international title, achieved with a championship record of 10.65 seconds.

Additionally, she earned a bronze in the women’s 200 meters final and on the penultimate day of the event secured a second gold as a vital member of the US team in the 4x100m relay final.

Aitana Bonmatí

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, the standout midfielder earned the Golden Ball as the Player of the Tournament for her influential role in Spain’s historic Women’s World Cup victory in 2023. Adding to her accolades, she was honoured with the Ballon d’Or Féminin award in October.

With a repertoire of over 50 appearances for Spain since 2017, she played a pivotal role in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cup squads. At the club level with FC Barcelona Femení, she achieved the league and Champions League double. Since 2016, she has been a stalwart for the team, amassing over 150 games and scoring more than 50 goals.

Iga Swiatek

In 2023, she won six WTA titles: San Diego, Miami, Stuttgart, Indian Wells, Qatar and the Italian Open.

She emerged as the champion of the French Open in 2023. She concluded the year as the world’s top player with the longest winning run of the 21st century. With her 67-9 win-loss record, Swiatek recorded the highest number of wins in a season in the 21st century.

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