Athletes who have won Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award more than once

Serena Williams has been nominated a record 11 times for the prestigious trophy.

For over two decades, the Laureus Awards for Sportswoman of the Year has celebrated exceptional female athletes worldwide. As one of the seven original awards presented at the Laureus World Sports Awards, this accolade was first introduced in 2000.

The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which presents the awards, assembles a panel of leading sports editors, writers, and broadcasters from around the world to develop a list of nominees for the award. After this, the Laureus World Sports Academy selects the ultimate winner of the award, who is then presented with a Laureus statuette at an awards ceremony held annually in diverse locations worldwide. These awards are often compared to the Oscars of the sporting world, highlighting the high regard in which they are held.

Since its inception, the Laureus Awards for Sportswoman of the Year has become a highly prestigious accolade for female athletes who have excelled in their respective sports. The awards seeks to celebrate not only the accomplishments of exceptional athletes but also the transformative power of sports in creating positive social change.

Over the years, only three exceptional female athletes have been honored with this award multiple times, cementing their place in sporting history. By highlighting the names of these repeat winners, this article sheds light on their remarkable achievements and their impact on the world of sports.

3. Yelena Isinbayeva (2007 & 2009)

The Russian Pole-vaulter, Yelena has been recognized for her outstanding athletic achievements through various nominations and wins over the years. In 2014, she was nominated for the Laureus Comeback of the Year and Laureus Sportswoman of the Year awards. She was also nominated for the latter category in 2005, 2006, and 2008 but didn't win.

She won the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award in 2009 and 2007. Overall, Yelena has been a strong contender and has received recognition for her impressive performances in sports.

The Russian athlete was a highly accomplished pole vaulter, setting multiple world records and earning the distinction of being the first woman to clear the 5-metre (16-foot 4.75-inch) mark in the sport. She has won two Olympic gold medals and three World Championships.

She has also set numerous world records in the event and has been a major champion nine times across various competitions, including the Olympic and World outdoor and indoor championships as well as the European outdoor and indoor championships. In addition, Yelena also won the IAAF Golden League series jackpot in both 2007 and 2009.

2. Simone Biles (2017, 2019 & 2020)

The American gymnast from Ohio is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in her sport. Simone Biles has had a successful run at the Laureus World Sports Awards, winning the Sportswoman of the Year award three times. She won the award in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In addition to those wins, Biles was also nominated for the Comeback of the Year award in 2022, showcasing her resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

She achieved a historic feat at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro by becoming the first female US gymnast to win four gold medals in a single Olympic Games edition. By the time she made her Olympics debut in Rio, Simone was already a superstar in the sport and she did not disappoint. Biles went on to win gold in the all-around, team, vault and floor and a bronze on the beam.

In addition, she holds the distinction of being the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles from 2013 to 2015. At 16 years of age, Biles made headlines after winning two gold medals at the World Championships, including the all-around title. She repeated her success by winning four golds in the 2014 World Championships and another four in 2015.

1. Serena Williams (2003, 2010, 2016 & 2018)

Serena Williams, who hails from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida earned another honor to distinguish herself from her peers when she was named the Laureus World Sports Awards Sportswoman of the Year for a record fourth time in 2018. She also set a record with 11 nominations for the international honor. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is a five-time Laureus winner – Sportswoman’s Award (2003, 2010, 2016 & 2018) and Comeback Award (2007).

The American secured a total of 23 Grand Slam victories with seven of them coming at the Australian Open, three at the French Open, seven at Wimbledon, and the remaining six at the US Open. Despite falling one Grand Slam title short of Margaret Court's all-time singles record of 24 titles, Williams holds the open-era record.

Serena Williams' Grand Slam titles include 23 in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles, for a total of 39 major titles. She is currently tied for third place on the all-time list and holds the second position in the Open Era for the highest number of major titles.

With four Olympic appearances since 2000, Williams only missed the 2004 Summer Games. Along with her dominant performance in the Grand Slams, she earned a gold medal in singles at the 2012 London Olympics and three gold medals in doubles (2000, 2008, 2012). At the 2016 Olympics, she and Venus remained undefeated in Olympic doubles, with an impressive record of 15-0, making them the most successful doubles team in Olympic history.