Kenya’s David Rudisha is among the two Africans nominated for the prestigious 2016 Laureus World Sports Awards. The 800m specialist has been recognized in the Comeback of the Year category after overcoming a year-long injury to claim victory in the 800m at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
Rudisha faces stiff competition in this category, which also includes Lindsay Voon, Jessica Ennis, Michael Phelps, Dan Carter, and Mick Fanning, all athletes who have made remarkable returns from setbacks or challenges in their respective sports.
The Male and Female Sportsperson of the Year categories are equally competitive. In the men’s section, sprint legend Usain Bolt, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner in football-related honors, contends with tennis star Novak Djokovic, footballer Lionel Messi, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, NBA standout Stephen Curry, and golf’s top-ranked Jason Spieth.
On the women’s side, record-breaking tennis star Serena Williams receives her 10th Laureus nomination. She is joined by Ethiopian athlete Genzebe Dibaba, sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, swimmer Katie Ledecky, skier Anna Fenninger, and footballer Carli Lloyd, highlighting a diverse group of top-performing women from across global sports.
Rudisha’s nomination underscores his remarkable resilience and the significance of his comeback, marking him as one of the continent’s most inspiring athletes. The Laureus Awards, often regarded as the “Oscars of Sport,” celebrate not only achievements but also the perseverance and dedication of athletes worldwide.
