Rory McIlroy and Formula One rookie Lando Norris were among the athletes honoured on a glittering evening at the renowned Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, held in New York, recognised achievements across a broad spectrum of sports and highlighted stories of perseverance, breakthrough and excellence.
McIlroy capped off a remarkable resurgence by completing the elusive career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters Tournament, a victory that arrived eleven years after his previous major triumph. In acknowledgment of his dramatic comeback, the Northern Irish golfer was presented with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
"Winning my second Laureus Award is a huge honour, both personally and for golf," McIlroy said, his voice tinged with emotion. "To have the sport recognised on a global stage like this, alongside so many great athletes, means a lot." He went on to reflect on the significance of the Masters win, describing it as a moment he will carry forever. "There are certain moments in your career that stay with you, and winning The Masters is one I’ll carry with me forever. To then have a year like that recognised by Laureus is very special," he added.
The golfer explained that completing the career Grand Slam was an especially emotional milestone, noting the years of near‑misses, setbacks and doubt that had preceded it. "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. McIlroy also took the opportunity to applaud his fellow nominees, highlighting the inspiring narratives that populated the category.
"I also want to congratulate all of the nominees, especially those in my category. There are some amazing stories there, and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from them," he remarked. He concluded by acknowledging the origins of the Laureus Awards, noting that they were founded by South African businessman Johann Rupert, whom McIlroy counts among his acquaintances. "Knowing that connection makes this even more meaningful.
I also believe strongly in what Laureus stands for and the idea, as Nelson Mandela said, that sport has the power to change the world," he affirmed. In the motor‑sport arena, 26‑year‑old Lando Norris emerged victorious in a gripping contest for the Formula One World Drivers' Championship. Norris edged out his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and four‑time champion Max Verstappen to claim his maiden title, a feat that earned him the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
"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," Norris said during his acceptance speech.
He described his championship triumph as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. "Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special. It’s far from being an individual achievement – without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year Award, I wouldn’t be where I am today," Norris explained.
He also expressed pride in joining the roll‑call of previous Laureus winners, which includes names such as Lewis Hamilton and football prodigy Jude Bellingham. "It’s pretty incredible to have my name added to the list of winners of this award. 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 added.
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after a season that saw him reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and capture two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open. His relentless baseline play, mental toughness and ability to dominate on multiple surfaces impressed the Academy and cemented his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. On the women’s side, Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka joined an elite cadre of tennis legends by receiving the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Sabalenka’s powerful game, marked by aggressive groundstrokes and a fierce competitive spirit, has already placed her among the likes of Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka, all of whom have previously been honoured with the same accolade. The Laureus ceremony, beyond celebrating individual triumphs, also underscored the broader mission of the organisation: to harness sport as a catalyst for social change. Throughout the evening, presenters highlighted the foundation’s work in supporting youth programmes, promoting gender equality and using sport to bridge cultural divides.
The awards serve not only as a recognition of athletic excellence but also as a platform to amplify the message that sport can indeed change the world, echoing the words of Nelson Mandela that inspired the Laureus movement. In addition to the main awards, the event featured a preview of the upcoming PGA Tour schedule for 2026, a reminder to fans to stream the tour without a contract, and a note encouraging viewers to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Golf enthusiasts were also prompted to check Sky Sports’ live broadcast times and to tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for deeper analysis of the sport’s latest developments. Overall, the Laureus World Sport Awards night was a celebration of perseverance, breakthrough performance and the unifying power of sport, honoring athletes from golf, motor racing, tennis and beyond, while reinforcing the belief that sport can inspire, uplift and transform societies worldwide.