Bolt, Serena Williams win Laureus awards

Mar 10, 2010, 17:42 GMT

   Abu Dhabi - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt Wednesday won the Laureus sportsman of the year award for the second successive year, while the women's prize went to US tennis player Serena Williams.

   Bolt won three gold medals at the 2009 world athletics championships, setting world records in both the 100 metres and 200 metres.

   Williams, who had won the award in 2003, was winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

   Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters earned the award for the comeback of the year. Clijsters won the US Open last year after returning to tennis following a break of almost two years.

   The world team award went to Formula One racing team Brawn GP which won the 2009 championships with Jenson Button, who was honoured with for breakthrough of the year.

The award for sportsperson of the year with a disability went to South African Natalie du Toit, the first amputee ever to qualify for the Olympics, while Australian Stephanie Gilmore, three-time surfing world champion, won the award for action sportsperson of the year.

   The awards are for achievement in 2009, with the winners chosen from a jury of 46 sporting personalities.