Rory McIlroy and British‑born Formula One rookie Lando Norris were among the athletes who took home trophies on a glittering evening at the renowned Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, held in New York, gathered champions from a broad spectrum of disciplines to honor those who have delivered extraordinary performances over the past year. McIlroy capped a fairy‑tale season by completing the elusive career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters Tournament, a victory that arrived eleven years after his previous major win. By clinching the green jacket at Augusta National, the Northern Irish star not only secured his second Masters title but also earned the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
In his acceptance speech he reflected on the significance of the honor: "Winning my second Laureus Award is a huge honour, both personally and for golf. To have the sport recognised on a global stage like this, alongside so many great athletes, means a lot." He went on to describe the emotional weight of the Masters triumph, noting that it would stay with him forever, and that the Laureus recognition added a further layer of meaning to an already historic achievement. McIlroy also spoke about the long‑term journey that led to the career Grand Slam, acknowledging the near‑misses, injuries and doubts that had punctuated his career.
"Completing the career Grand Slam was incredibly emotional. It's something I've been chasing for a long time, and it probably means more because of everything that came before it – the near misses, the setbacks, and the questions along the way.
That's a big part of the journey, and I'm grateful that this award recognises that," he said. He praised his fellow nominees, especially those in the comeback category, and highlighted the inspiration he drew from their stories.
Finally, he paid tribute to the Laureus foundation’s origins, noting his personal connection to founder Johann Rupert and echoing Nelson Mandela’s belief that sport possesses the power to transform societies. The night also shone a spotlight on Lando Norris, who secured his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship after a dramatic duel with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and four‑time champion Max Verstappen. Norris’s breakthrough season earned him the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
In his remarks, the 26‑year‑old expressed gratitude to the Laureus Academy: "Thank you to the Laureus Academy for selecting me as their World Breakthrough of the Year winner. It's an honour to be recognised by many legendary athletes who have achieved so much in their careers." He emphasized that his title was not a solo effort, crediting the entire McLaren team – which was also nominated for the Laureus Team of the Year Award – for making the championship possible. Norris added that joining the roll‑call of past Laureus winners, which includes the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Jude Bellingham and other sporting icons, was a source of pride and a motivator to inspire the next generation of drivers.
"It's pretty incredible to have my name added to the list of winners of this Award, joining athletes like Lewis Hamilton to Jude Bellingham, I hope to also inspire young drivers coming through. This Laureus is a reminder of everything that went into our win last season, and everything still to come," he said.
In the individual honours, Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. Alcaraz’s 2025 campaign saw him reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and capture two Grand Slam titles – the French Open and the US Open – cementing his status as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. His consistent excellence across surfaces and his ability to perform under pressure impressed the Laureus panel, leading to his selection over a field of seasoned competitors.
The women’s award went to Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, who joined an elite roster of Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year recipients that includes Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka. Sabalenka’s dominant play throughout the year, highlighted by multiple WTA titles and deep runs in the Grand Slam events, earned her widespread acclaim and solidified her place among the sport’s contemporary greats. Beyond the individual accolades, the ceremony underscored Laureus’s broader mission to harness sport as a catalyst for social change.
The foundation’s partnership with charitable initiatives, its commitment to youth development programmes, and its advocacy for inclusion and equality were reiterated throughout the evening. Attendees were reminded that each award not only celebrates athletic excellence but also serves as a platform to amplify the positive impact sport can have on communities worldwide.
The event also featured a series of promotional segments, including a preview of the upcoming PGA Tour schedule for 2026, a reminder to stream the tour without contractual obligations, and information on how to watch live golf on Sky Sports. Listeners were encouraged to tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for in‑depth analysis and to use Chrome for an optimal video experience. In summary, the Laureus World Sport Awards 2025 honoured a diverse group of athletes whose achievements transcended their respective disciplines. Rory McIlroy’s triumphant return to the pinnacle of golf, Lando Norris’s meteoric rise to Formula One stardom, Carlos Alcaraz’s domination of tennis, and Aryna Sabalenka’s relentless pursuit of excellence all exemplify the spirit of perseverance, talent and dedication that Laureus seeks to celebrate.
The night not only highlighted past successes but also set the stage for future stories of inspiration and transformation through sport.