Tendulkar in fray for 2011 Laureus World Sportsman award

[SachDan]

LONDON, December 2, 2010 - A spectacular year of sport has set up an exciting contest for the 2011 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. ` Sporting giants like Rafael Nadal, Sachin Tendulkar and Sebastian Vettel will be fighting for sport's most prestigious honour, while star footballers like Diego Forlan, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi will each be hoping to become the first ever team player to win this individual Laureus Award, following the successful FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during 2010, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The names of the six Nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, as voted by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, will be announced in early January. The eventual winner will then be chosen from that list of Nominees by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time, and will be unveiled during a televised Awards Ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Monday, February 7. Among the contenders for Nomination are Spain's Rafael Nadal who won three tennis Grand Slams in 2010 - the French Open, Wimbledon & US Open. He became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to achieve this and the first to do it on three different surfaces. When he beat Novak Djokovic to win his first US Open, he became the seventh man to win all four Grand Slams, and at 24 years 101 days the third youngest after Don Budge and Rod Laver. He has now won nine career Grand Slam titles. Germany's Sebastian Vettel drove a brilliant race in Abu Dhabi in November to become the youngest ever winner of the Formula One World Championship, at 23 years 134 days, overtaking Britain's Lewis Hamilton, who held the previous record with 23 years 300 days. The Red Bull driver was only third in the World Championship standings at the start of the race, but led from pole position for a dominating victory. During the year Vettel also won in Malaysia, Valencia, Japan and Brazil. Cricket provides two strong candidates for nomination. India's Sachin Tendulkar in February became the first man to score a double century in a One Day International, hitting an unbeaten 200 for India against South Africa, and in October he became the first man to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket during the second Test against Australia in Bangalore. It was his 171st Test match, in which he also scored his 49th Test century. Unsurprisingly he was named International Cricket Council Player of the Year. And Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, statistically the greatest spin bowler in the history of cricket, took his world record 800th Test wicket on the final day of his career in Galle in July 2010. It left him 92 wickets ahead of his nearest rival, Australia's Shane Warne, now also retired. The FIFA World Cup produced some remarkable performances. Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball as Best Player after scoring five goals for Uruguay, who reached the semi-finals. For his club Atletico Madrid, he scored 28 goals in 2009/10 including two in the UEFA Europa League final victory over Fulham. Andres Iniesta, the brilliant play-maker of Barcelona, scored the winning goal for Spain in the 116th minute of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final against the Netherlands in South Africa and was named Man of the Match. And Lionel Messi, considered one of the best players of his generation, scored 47 goals for Barcelona in 2009/10 and helped Argentina to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. American basketball star Kobe Bryant, cornerstone of the Los Angeles Lakers team, finished the regular season missing four of the final five games due to injuries to his knee and finger, but returned to become the star of the NBA Finals. Bryant and the Lakers came back from a 13 point deficit in game seven to beat Boston Celtics. It was Bryant's fifth title and his second MVP Award. Manny Pacquiao, rated No 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world by the authoritative Ring magazine, became the first boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions when he beat Mexico's Antonio Margarito in Dallas in November to win the WBC light-middleweight title. The 31-year-old from the Philippines was named ‘Fighter of the Decade' for the 2000's by the US Boxing Writers Association. The two Klitschko brothers continued to dominate the heavyweight scene. Unbeaten in six fights in the two years since he made his winning return to boxing in October 2008, Vitali Klitschko's most recent victory was against American Shannon Briggs on October 16, while Wladimir Klitschko, who unified the IBF, IBO and WBO titles, has so far beaten Eddie Chambers and Samuel Peter in 2010. At the age of 31, Graeme McDowell became the first UK golfer to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin 40 years earlier. McDowell's victory at the celebrated Pebble Beach course in California in June followed his European Tour victory in the Celtic Manor Welsh Open. He followed this up dramatically in October when he became the hero of European golf for winning the decisive match in the Ryder Cup, beating Hunter Mahan in the last of the singles. McDowell, from Northern Ireland, added his third tournament victory in October at the Andalucian Masters which moved him into the world top ten. Spain's Jorge Lorenzo broke two bones in his hand in a crash pre-season yet finished second on a Yamaha in the opening MotoGP race in Qatar. He went on to win nine races during the year and clinched his first senior World Championship with three races still to go in October at the Malaysian Grand Prix. He was also 2006 and 2007 250cc world champion. Another Spaniard at the top of his sport was Javier Gomez who won his second World Triathlon Championship with victories in London and Madrid. France's Camille Lacourt was the most successful man at the European Swimming Championships, winning three gold medals in the 50 and 100 metres backstroke and the 4 x 100 metres medley relay. Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen won the European Championship gold in Barcelona to become the first male javelin thrower in history to be European, Olympic and world champion at the same time. One of the finest riders ever to take to the saddle, A.P.McCoy won his 15th UK riders' championship in 2009/10. Among his record landmarks, he has ridden more than 3,000 winners in his career and has had the most wins in a season with 289. In 2010, after 15 attempts, he won the Grand National, the race regarded around the world as the blue riband of steeplechasing, at Aintree, Liverpool, riding Don't Push It. German Tennis legend and Laureus World Sports Academy Member Boris Becker said: "This promises to be a fascinating year. I can't wait to see who the Media Selection Panel will vote for, but I would be amazed if Rafael Nadal and Sebastian Vettel were not at the top the list. It was another big year for tennis. The prime example is Rafael Nadal. He has had his best year ever winning three Grand Slams. That's an achievement in my sport that is very rare, so obviously he is a front-runner in my opinion for Sportsman of the Year, but obviously the voting has not been done yet. Who knows what the future will hold for him? He is certainly the No 1 player for this year, he has won now overall nine Grand Slams. "Formula One is a very popular sport all around the world. It is watched by millions. We have had great Laureus Award winners in the past, whether it was Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button. I'm sure the performance of Sebastian Vettel will not go unnoticed within the Laureus Academy I'm sure Sebastian is another front-runner in my mind for a Laureus Award - for which category we will have to see, but winning the Formula One World Championship at such an early age early deserves great recognition." The 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards is returning to Abu Dhabi thanks to the support of Aabar Investments PJS, who will once again be Host Partner for the event. His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Aabar, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards is a unique event. It was magnificent, a great success for Abu Dhabi when it was held here last March. The whole event was really superb. We will certainly try to do something special when we bring the Awards back next year." Last year double Oscar-winning Hollywood star Kevin Spacey hosted a glittering Awards Ceremony attended by leading sportsmen and women from around the world. Also in the audience at a packed auditorium at the Emirates Palace were Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, British film stars Hugh Grant and Clive Owen and American actors Kyle MacLachlan and Michelle Rodriguez. Among the names of the winners of the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards announced in Abu Dhabi last March were Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Jenson Button, Kim Clijsters, Natalie du Toit and Stephanie Gilmore. Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, offers a fascinating combination of the old and the new; a blend of Arabic hospitality and mystique where a mixture of culture and tradition come together against a backdrop of the most modern world-class infrastructure. Abu Dhabi is developing a reputation as a great sporting venue as host city for the FIFA Club World Cup, the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, all highlights of the sporting calendar in the city. Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which supports almost 80 community sports projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of more than one million young people. There is a two-part voting process to find the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards. Firstly, a Selection Panel of the world's leading sports editors, writers and broadcasters from over 150 countries votes to create a shortlist of six nominations in various categories including Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year and Laureus World Comeback of the Year. Then the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy vote by secret ballot to select the Award winners. The Laureus Academy Members also vote for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year, the Nominations for which are made by specialist panels. http://www.laureus.com/press_releases?article_id=2127

[Sachin=GOD]

:yay::yay::yay::yay: this nomination has been a long time coming, but better late than never. Hopefully he will win it:two_thumbs_up: Has any cricketer ever been nominated/won it before this?

[Ram]

Didnt the Aussies win the 'Team of the year' award sometime before?

[SachDan]

Didnt the Aussies win the 'Team of the year' award sometime before?

Under Steve Waugh?

[Ram]

Under Steve Waugh?

Yea, I think so. I am just wondering if there’s a precedence for cricketers/cricket teams winning this award. But it'll be hard to beat Nadal though. 3 grand-slams in year, including BOTH Wimbledon AND French Open... That is quite something... Thought it is exciting that Sachin is in the fray, it is also slightly perplexing to see Murali’s name in that list as well. If this is an award for sporting achievements in the year 2010, then Murali’s name shouldn’t be anywhere close to contention. The fact that it apparently is in the list is cause for concern because it shows how little those guys understand of cricket, which could potentially impact Sachin’s chances of winnig the award.

[Sachin=GOD]

Yea, I think so. I am just wondering if there’s a precedence for cricketers/cricket teams winning this award. But it'll be hard to beat Nadal though. 3 grand-slams in year, including BOTH Wimbledon AND French Open... That is quite something... Thought it is exciting that Sachin is in the fray, it is also slightly perplexing to see Murali’s name in that list as well. If this is an award for sporting achievements in the year 2010, then Murali’s name shouldn’t be anywhere close to contention. The fact that it apparently is in the list is cause for concern because it shows how little those guys understand of cricket, which could potentially impact Sachin’s chances of winnig the award.

if Murali's name is here it means either they don't understand cricket (then Sachin won't win it) or they have considered achievements over a longer period of time (then Sachin has a very good chance IMO)

[The Outsider]

I remember India and Pakistan getting the Laureus spirit of the game or something award after the Jeet Lo Dil Series. Think Waugh's team won it after their 16 consecutive test match win streak. The individual awards have been completely dominated by Federer over the last few years.

[bharathh]

Sachin doesn't have a chance in front of Nadal... but awesome achievement to be nominated for the award!

[Shakthi]

Sachin doesn't have a chance in front of Nadal... but awesome achievement to be nominated for the award!

Nadal is a bacha before Sachin the greatest cricketer of the world the greatest batsman of all time is Our Sachin Nadal is nothing even though tennis is individual sport cricket isnt.

[pensionplan]

Nadal is a bacha before Sachin the greatest cricketer of the world the greatest batsman of all time is Our Sachin Nadal is nothing even though tennis is individual sport cricket isnt.

It is posts such as these that makes me feel so proud of my moniker and it is so fulfilling when I get to read a post like this. Keep them coming.

[fineleg]

Nadal is a bacha before Sachin the greatest cricketer of the world the greatest batsman of all time is Our Sachin Nadal is nothing even though tennis is individual sport cricket isnt.

:facepalm:

[Sid]

I think Nadal will win this one

[vamos_rafa]

Yeah Nadal has a very bright chance... Gosh I would feel bad with Rafa winning this time. But if Sach does get nominated for the final 5 then imagine him taking the seat with the Rafa. This was long time coming. Just because Cricket is not as globalized a sport as Soccer or Tennis sometimes deprives the likes of Sachin/Lara/Warne with the kind of accolades they deserve at a world wide stage. But again Murali's invovement is a bit shocking. The only good thing he did was to get 800 wickets and thats that.

[kabira]

well him scoring 200 Runs is path breaking, Nadal has not done something path breaking, few others have won 3 Grand Slams in a year. So I say Sachin Sachin and Sachin.

[akshayxyz]

It is unfair to compare across sports-men across that too individual vs team sports. That too cricket vs tennis! If I were to pick someone from Indian individual sportsmen - Saina Nehwal is the best bet and perhaps Vishy-anand. Before any comments - Chess is a recognized 'sport' by International Olympic Committee. This one looks like going to Nadal.

[Nirvanam]

Nadal is a bacha before Sachin the greatest cricketer of the world the greatest batsman of all time is Our Sachin Nadal is nothing even though tennis is individual sport cricket isnt.

Awww come on man! Nadal might be 'bachha' age-wise with regards Boy Wonder but he deserves his recognition and I celebrate him as an ATG sportsman...no need to put down others to big up our man. Sachin is Sachin, Nadal is Nadal, Tiger is Tiger - leave it at that. Anyway I haven't heard about these awards in the past...is it like the Cannes/Filmfare/Academy awards for sport? French institution?

[Sachin=GOD]

Awww come on man! Nadal might be 'bachha' age-wise with regards Boy Wonder but he deserves his recognition and I celebrate him as an ATG sportsman...no need to put down others to big up our man. Sachin is Sachin, Nadal is Nadal, Tiger is Tiger - leave it at that. Anyway I haven't heard about these awards in the past...is it like the Cannes/Filmfare/Academy awards for sport? French institution?

these are the biggest awards in sports.

[Nirvanam]

It is unfair to compare across sports-men across that too individual vs team sports. That too cricket vs tennis! If I were to pick someone from Indian individual sportsmen - Saina Nehwal is the best bet and perhaps Vishy-anand. Before any comments - Chess is a recognized 'sport' by International Olympic Committee. This one looks like going to Nadal.

I am somehow not convinced that these international pan-aspect awards work totally based on the performance of the individual/team only. Of course they make it to the short-list on pure performance but the final winner is influenced for world politics serving purposes. I'd think India, China, South Korea, Brazil, RSA have a better chance than Spain or any European/NA country right now. But some of these awards have become jokes really...Nobel Peace Prize - Bush, anyone? Hopefully this one is not like Nobel Peace Prize which has lost its meaning frankly.

[nballa]

Nadal is a bacha before Sachin the greatest cricketer of the world the greatest batsman of all time is Our Sachin Nadal is nothing even though tennis is individual sport cricket isnt.

sachin is not a tenth of an athlete nadal is. it will be a damn shame if nadal does not win the award.

[Anakin]

sachin is not a tenth of an athlete nadal is. it will be a damn shame if nadal does not win the award.

I'd have gone with Chuckter or Asif :hatsoff: