China Paralympic swimmer Jiang takes home sports ‘Oscar’, Duplantis, Biles top pile
Armand Duplantis and Simone Biles win sportsman and women of the year crowns at Laureus World Sports Awards, Jiang Yuyan takes disability title
Sweden’s Olympic pole vault champion Armand Duplantis was named World Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday, while Chinese Paralympic swimmer Jiang Yuyan took home the Sportsperson with a Disability Award.
Duplantis has broken the pole vault world record no fewer than 11 times, as well as winning gold at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games and taking two World titles. The Swede beat off the challenge of cyclist Tadej Pogacar and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz to win the Laureus award.
The World Sportswoman of the Year was American gymnast Simone Biles, who claimed her fourth Laureus award after returning to Olympic glory in Paris with three gold medals and a silver medal following a disappointing performance at Tokyo 2020.
Real Madrid were named World Team of the Year ahead of FC Barcelona’s women, who won every possible title in 2024, although Lamine Yamal of the men’s team won the World Breakthrough of the Year award.
“Some decent athletes think I deserve this, so it’s cool, I want to thank everyone for what happens in public and behind the scenes,” Duplantis said. “I am a product of my environment, so I want to thank my family and everyone around me. I have been surrounded by people who inspire me, and if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be here now.”
Jiang, who won seven gold medals at Paris 2024, was named the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, with Qu Zimo another Chinese nominee in that category.