Fraser-Pyrce and Messi Named Laureus World Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year

World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has been named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Monday night at the prestigious 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris.

The Mommy Rocket extended her phenomenal legacy on the track last year by winning a fifth World Athletics 100m title and a fifth Diamond League trophy.

The Jamaican has more world sprint titles than any other athlete, and in 2022 she ran sub-10.7 for 100m seven times, three more than the previous best for a female sprinter in a calendar year.

Fraser-Pryce was thrilled to be honoured after losing the World Athlete of theyear award to World 400m hurdles champion and world record holder, Sydney McLaughlin.

‘I was thrilled to be nominated alongside such inspiring women athletes, and to win this award, voted for by some of the greatest sportsmen and women of all time, is just amazing,’ said Fraser-Pryce.

‘This is the sixth time I’ve been nominated in this category, so to finally hold the Laureus statuette in my hands is one of the greatest honours of my career’.

For the men, Lionel Messi was voted the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

The Argentina led his country to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and was voted player of the tournament.

‘I achieved my dream and the whole country’s and it was the best thing that has happened to me and to everybody as a country after waiting for so long. So I would like to share this Award with all of Argentina,’ said Messi after receiving the award.

Messi also made history as the first ever athlete to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Laureus World Team of the Year Awards in the same year.