Latest news with #LaureusWorldSportsAcademy
NDTV
23-04-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Rohit Sharma Told To 'Look In Mirror' By Australia Great Amid Future Talks: "Can't Get..."
Australia legend Steve Waugh believes under-fire Rohit Sharma can't afford to be "complacent or relax" if he wants to continue serving Indian cricket, including making a call on his captaincy ahead of the upcoming Test series against England. With questions swirling around Rohit's future, Waugh said the decision to lead India must come from the man himself. India will begin their 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with the England series starting in June. "It is totally up to him," Waugh told PTI. "He is the only one who can solve that problem. He has got to look himself in the mirror and say, do I still want to be captain or play for India? Am I committed? "Am I putting enough time and effort into it? It is a privilege and an honour to play for your country. You can't be complacent or relax," added Waugh, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy. Rohit, who turns 38 on April 30, has endured a lean run in his last three Test series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. He opted out of the Sydney Test citing poor form, as India lost the series 1–3 earlier this year. Waugh also called for greater protection of Test cricket amidst the rising popularity of T20 leagues, while pushing back against proposed changes to the WTC format, including the introduction of a two-tier system. "There is stress on Test cricket, whether it will survive because we need it as a sport. T20 cricket is amazing, great for players and spectators and great for sponsors but I still think Test cricket is the very essence of cricket. "The players I believe still want to play Tests to see how good they can actually be. It's the ultimate contest. Making sure that it survives and thrives and is healthy is really important." There has been criticism from certain quarters after South Africa qualified for the WTC final despite playing fewer matches and avoiding top teams such as England and Australia in the 2023-25 cycle. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been mulling major changes to the points system, with a two-tier format also discussed in a bid to make the WTC more competitive. "There's always complaints. In Champions Trophy, India played a neutral ground in Dubai and people complained about that You have to do what you can to make things happen. It's not a perfect situation. "Some countries play a lot of Test matches, some don't play many. South Africa probably didn't play as many as other countries. They were pretty successful in what they did. "I believe the two best Test playing countries are lining up in the final." Waugh shot down the idea of a two-tier system, saying it would only widen the gap in world cricket and not contribute to the development of other teams. "I don't like two tier, It weakens whoever's in the second tier not playing in strong sides, they're not going to be able to improve and get better. "The top sides will keep getting better and stronger and it'll just separate world crickeinto teams that are top level and other teams that are okay and we want to develop t other teams right now." "Test cricket is pretty strong actually, it's probably seven or eight sides capable of beating each other and that hasn't been the case for few years so I actually think Test cricket is going okay right now." There have also been reports that bonus points for away wins could be introduced from the 2025-27 WTC cycle. Waugh, however, did not support the idea. "That's all subjective. How do you say who's a stronger team? I think the current system is pretty good. At end of the day, you've got to be consistent, you've got to win both away and at home. Talking about Laureus, Waugh said: "It's been 25 years now this organization which is pretty amazing. We've now got the Sport for Good Foundation it's got something like 300 projects in 30 odd countries which is incredible the work is expanding and seen amazing results so as an organization it's really grown over those 25 years." Listen to the latest songs, only on
Daily Maverick
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Biles and Duplantis scoop major honours at 25th Laureus World Sports Awards
It was a year for Olympians to shine in the annual Laureus World Sports awards in Madrid, the 25th staging of the 'Oscars of Sport'. Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, who competes under the Swedish flag, claimed the Sportsman of the Year award to become the first male field athlete to scoop the top prize. Previously, Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt won the Sportsman of the Year award three times, but this was a first for field disciplines. It was also Duplantis' fourth nomination in the category. Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the Sportswoman of the Year award in 2007 and 2009, but Duplantis became the first man from the highly technical discipline to win. Simone Biles In keeping with the theme of agility, power, grace and flexibility, US gymnast Simone Biles collected a fourth trophy as Sportswoman of the Year, equalling former tennis great Serena Williams' record. Biles made a triumphant return to the Olympics in Paris last year, winning three golds and a silver to take her Olympic tally to 11 medals. In addition to what is now her fourth Sportswoman of the Year title, Biles also won the women's Laureus Comeback of the Year in 2024 after dominating the 2023 World Championships. 'I won this Award for the first time in 2017 and Laureus has been a part of my story since then, and I share their belief that sport has the power to change the world,' Biles said. 'That might be a little girl watching someone like me on television and deciding she can do it, too. Or it could be the incredible work Laureus Sport for Good has undertaken for the past 25 years, all over the world. 'I'd like to thank the legendary members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, who vote for the winners. It must be an almost impossible job, but their unique personal experiences of sport at the highest level gives them an understanding of what it takes to be the very best. 'Their generation has inspired us athletes standing here before you. That is why the Laureus Awards truly are the 'Athletes Awards' and I am proud to have added to my 'Laureus' collection.' Biles saw off the challenges of world tennis No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Olympic athletic gold medallists Faith Kipyegon, Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone and Sifan Hassan and Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmati. Mondo Duplantis Duplantis also faced strong challenges from tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz, F1 World Champion Max Verstappen, French Olympic star Léon Marchand and cycling's dominant force in Tadej Pogačar. It's fair to say that few eyebrows would have been raised if any of the names of the 10 nominees across the two categories had been pulled from the envelopes. 'I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid,' Duplantis said. 'The Laureus Awards are the ultimate awards that we athletes want to win. I know, because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it's harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal! 'I'll never forget receiving this beautiful Laureus from the great Novak Djokovic – I'm following in the footsteps of giants like Novak, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi. The list of past winners of this Award is like a history of sporting greatness over the past 25 years. 'The Laureus Awards represent something more than sporting achievement. The fact that they are voted on by the 69 world-class athletes of the Laureus World Sports Academy elevates them to another level. These are athletes who know the dedication and commitment that lies behind sporting successes; they have set the mark that athletes like me strive for.' African triumph While there were no athletic winners from Africa, Kick4Life was honoured with the Laureus Sport for Good award in recognition of its role in changing the lives of young people in Lesotho. One of the understated, but important aspects of the Laureus movement is the support it gives to charities and organisations such as Kick4Life, which work to uplift vulnerable children in society. Since its foundation in 2005, Kick4Life has helped more than 250,000 children and young people in Lesotho through a network of high-impact community programmes focused on education and sustainable livelihoods for young people. Lesotho has the second-highest prevalence of HIV in the world (23.2%), drastically damaging families and communities while leaving more than 160,000 children orphaned. Through its football programmes, Kick4Life offers healthcare education and counselling, alongside voluntary testing for more than 25,000 young people. Its community work has empowered women to uphold their rights against gender-based violence, given young people entrepreneurial skills to combat youth unemployment and developed character and life skills through sport. It has also aided young Lesotho-based footballers in seeking prestigious football scholarships from across the world, through the Kick4Life academy. Philanthropy Laureus chairman Sean Fitzpatrick highlighted the philanthropic aspect of the awards. Laureus, which started with a modest outlook a quarter of a century ago, has evolved into a significant operation uplifting children through sport. While the annual awards are the centrepiece and the showpiece of the Laureus organogram, it's the work it does behind the scenes, by supporting sporting programmes across the globe, that is its major impact. 'We initially came together to celebrate excellence in sport, that's how it was sold to us,' Fitzpatrick recalled. 'Then Nelson Mandela turned up and that sort of changed… I suppose our perspective in terms of what we could do. 'On the Sunday after the awards, about 10 of us came together and we thought, 'well, that was amazing. But we need to do something else. We need to sort of put something together to celebrate what Mandela had said to us.' 'And that was the start of the Sport for Good Foundation. And a year later, we had our first project.' What did Mandela say? It was simple, really. As a guest at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco in 2000, Madiba said: 'Sport has the power to change the world'. And Laureus has carried that message every day and in everything it does. 'We now support 300 programmes globally,' Fitzpatrick said. 'None are our projects – people apply for funding. And if they meet the criteria, we fund them. 'We're in 45 countries. We've raised close to a quarter of a billion euros and helped change the lives of about seven million kids just using sport, which is fantastic. 'Initially, there was no grand plan – nothing like that at all.' Real Madrid win Real Madrid were honoured with the Laureus World Team of the Year Award after a season in which they won La Liga for a record 36th time, delivered a 15th Uefa Champions League title, and defeated rivals Barcelona 4-1 in the Supercopa de España. The club continued to sweep aside all before them at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, winning both the Uefa Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade completed her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games, and she is this year's recipient of the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. Andrade considered quitting the sport in the wake of a series of soul-crushing setbacks – including three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries – and agonising rehabilitations. Tom Pidcock won the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year after winning the Olympic mountain bike cross-country title. DM The full list of winners is: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Mondo Duplantis Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Simone Biles Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Real Madrid Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22-04-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Laureus World Sports Awards 2025: Biles, Duplantis and Real win big; check out all winners from Madrid ceremony
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal was declared the Breakthrough of the Year, becoming the sixth footballer to win that award. Check all winners from Laureus World Sports Awards 2025. read more Laureus World Sports Awards 2025 was held in Madrid as world's greatest sportspersons were honoured. Images: Reuters The Laureus World Sports Awards 2025 concluded on Monday with a glittering ceremony in Madrid, attended by some of the biggest names in the sporting world, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Simon Biles, Luis Figo, and many more. It proved to be an even greater night for American gymnast Biles, who was named the Sportswoman of the Year, while Swedish pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis captured the men's honour. Biles, who won gold medals in the team, all-around and vault competitions, as well as a silver on the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Games to complete a triumphant comeback three years after withdrawing from events at the Tokyo Olympics, won the Laureus award for the fourth time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That equalled the record held by tennis great and U.S. compatriot Serena Williams. 'I'm so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus Award,' Biles said. 'I won this Award for the first time in 2017 and Laureus has been a part of my story since then. There might be a little girl watching someone like me on television and deciding she can do it, too.' Last year's winner Novak Djokovic handed Duplantis his first Laureus award after he was nominated in each of the last three years, becoming only the second track-and-field athlete to win it after Usain Bolt. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time, Duplantis won a second straight Olympic gold medal in Paris, breaking his own world record for the ninth time, before shattering it once again in the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month. 'I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus, this is the ultimate award that we athletes want to win. I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it's harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal,' Duplantis joked. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade won the Comeback of the Year award after completing her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games to win the gold medal in the floor competition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win the European Championship last year, won the Breakthrough of the Year, the sixth footballer to win that award. The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The awards have been presented annually since 2000. Laureus World Sports Awards prize money: Unlike many award ceremonies, the Laureus Awards emphasise honour and recognition over monetary rewards. Laureus World Sports Awards 2025: List of winners World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles World Sportsman of the Year: Mondo Duplantis World Team of the Year: Real Madrid World Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal World Comeback of the Year: Rebeca Andrade World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Pidcock Laureus Sport for Good: Kick4Life Laureus Sporting Icon: Rafael Nadal Laureus Lifetime Achievement: Kelly Slater With agency inputs
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rohit Sharma told to 'look in the mirror' by Australia legend, ask 'Do I still want to be captain or play for India?'
Rohit Sharma has experienced some extreme swings in fortune as India captain and in personal form over the past year. While he won two consecutive ICC titles in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, India also experienced some utterly shocking losses in Test matches between the two tournaments. Rohit's future in Test cricket also came under the scanner due to his extraordinary lean run throughout this period and former Australia captain Steve Waugh has stated the 37-year-old has to be guarded against complacency if he is to continue serving Indian cricket. "It is totally up to him," Waugh, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, told PTI. "He is the only one who can solve that problem. He has got to look himself in the mirror and say, do I still want to be captain or play for India? Am I committed? "Am I putting enough time and effort into it? It is a privilege and an honour to play for your country. You can't be complacent or relax," added Waugh. Rohit has changed his batting philosophy quite drastically in limited overs cricket, prioritising giving the team he is playing for a quick start to their innings at most times. It has meant that while the amount he runs he scores in a match dropped, his strike rate has gone up and he has earned plaudits for often putting the team's cause ahead of his own personal record. However, this has also coincided with an alarming dip in form in Test cricket. In the 2024/25 season, Rohit scored a paltry 164 runs in as many as 15 Test innings at a scarcely believable average of 10.93. He scored one half century in this period. During this time, India were subjected to an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash at home by New Zealand. This was followed by a 3-1 defeat in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, all of which resulted in India missing out on qualification to the World Test Championship final for the first time. Rohit's form was so poor that he ended up dropping himself for the final Test in Australia. However, he has stated multiple times since then that he has no intention of retiring from Test cricket and recently said that he is looking forward to leading India in the upcoming five Test series in England which will be played in June and July.
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Gymnast Simone Biles and pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis win Laureus awards
US gymnast Simone Biles poses with the Sportswoman of the year award. PHOTO: REUTERS MADRID - The world's most decorated gymnast Simone Biles was named the Sportswoman of the Year, while Swedish pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis captured the men's honour at the Laureus awards ceremony in Madrid on April 21. Biles, who won gold medals in the team, all-around and vault competitions, as well as a silver on the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Games to complete a triumphant comeback three years after withdrawing from events at the Tokyo Olympics, won the Laureus award for the fourth time. That equalled the record held by tennis great and United States compatriot Serena Williams. "I'm so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus Award," Biles said. "I won this Award for the first time in 2017 and Laureus has been a part of my story since then. There might be a little girl watching someone like me on television and deciding she can do it, too." Last year's winner Novak Djokovic handed Duplantis his first Laureus award after he was nominated in each of the last three years, becoming only the second track and field athlete to win it after Usain Bolt. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time, Duplantis won a second straight Olympic gold medal in Paris, breaking his own world record for the ninth time, before shattering it once again in the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month. Swedish athlete Armand Duplantis poses with the Sportsman of the year award. PHOTO: REUTERS "I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus, this is the ultimate award that we athletes want to win. I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it's harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal," Duplantis joked. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade won the Comeback of the Year award after completing her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games to win the gold medal in the floor competition. Teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024, won the Breakthrough of the Year, the sixth footballer to win that award. The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The awards have been presented annually since 2000. List of winners World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles World Sportsman of the Year: Mondo Duplantis World Team of the Year: Real Madrid World Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal World Comeback of the Year: Rebeca Andrade World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Pidcock Laureus Sport for Good: Kick4Life Laureus Sporting Icon: Rafael Nadal Laureus Lifetime Achievement: Kelly Slater REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
