23 Apr 2025

Barcelona forward and Spain national team player Lamine Yamal is the World Breakthrough of the Year award winner ahead of Letsile Tebogo, at the Laureus World Sports Awards held at Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, on Sunday.

Tebogo was nominated alongside Summer McIntosh, Julien Alfred, Victor Wembanyama, and Bayer of Leverkusen. Despite not winning the prestigious awards, Tebogo’s coach, Kebonyemodisa “Dose “ Mosimanyane said for the athlete to be amongst the nominees, was a big achievement for them.

“These are the biggest awards in sport. The fact that he was nominated, is also a big recognition, and we were happy with the nomination,” he said. Mosimanyane said they had been observing that athletics unlike other sporting codes lurked behind, adding that for Tebogo to be one of the nominees from athletics meant a lot.

He said the nomination was a big morale booster and he was happy that it was the beginning of the season, and such should energise the athlete. 

He said they knew competition was going to be tough, adding that the level was very high given that Tebogo competed against teams, and people from popular sport like football.

He said the athlete had a great season as he was recognised by the World Athletics and appointed children’s ambassador. 

“That again was a confidence booster, because World Athletics demonstrated that they had confidence in him that he can inspire kids in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. 

World Sportswoman of the Year went to American gymnast Simone Biles, while Rebeca Andrade won the World Comeback of the Year.

American surfer Kelly Slater won the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chinese Para swimmer Jiang Yuyan is the Sportsperson with a Disability Award winner, Action Sportsperson Award went to British cyclist Tom Pidcock, while Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal won the Icon Award. Lesotho’s Kick4Life got the Sport for Good Award, and Real Madrid won Team of the Year. ENDS