Rory McIlroy and rising Formula 1 star Lando Norris were among the athletes celebrated on a glittering evening at the renowned Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, held in New York, honoured individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to sport over the past year, and both McIlroy and Norris walked away with prestigious trophies. McIlroy capped a remarkable season by achieving a long‑awaited career Grand Slam in 2025, winning The Masters at Augusta National eleven years after his previous major triumph.
The Northern Irish golfer was presented with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, a recognition of his perseverance, resilience and ultimate return to the pinnacle of his game. "Winning my second Laureus Award is a huge honour, both personally and for golf," McIlroy said in his acceptance speech. "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 emotional weight of his Masters victory, describing it as a moment he will carry with him forever. "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 added. McIlroy also praised his fellow nominees, noting that their stories had provided him with inspiration throughout the season.
He concluded by acknowledging the origins of the Laureus Awards, founded by businessman Johann Rupert, and reaffirmed his belief in the movement’s core message: sport has the power to change the world, a principle famously articulated by Nelson Mandela. The night also highlighted the achievements of Lando Norris, the 26‑year‑old British driver who clinched his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship after a dramatic showdown with 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, he thanked the Laureus Academy for the honour and expressed pride in being recognised alongside legendary athletes. "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 highlighted the broader impact of his success, hoping 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 and 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 categories, Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after a stellar 2025 campaign that saw him reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and capture two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open. Alcaraz’s meteoric rise and consistent dominance made him a natural choice for the award, underscoring his status as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
The women’s award went to Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, who joined an elite roster that includes Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka. Sabalenka’s powerful baseline game and relentless work ethic propelled her to the top of the sport, earning her recognition as Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
Beyond the headline winners, the ceremony also highlighted other nominees and categories, such as the Laureus Team of the Year Award, which celebrated collective achievements across a range of sports. The event reinforced Laureus’s mission to use sport as a catalyst for social change, with proceeds supporting the Laureus Sport for Good foundation, which delivers community programmes worldwide. The night’s broadcast included a series of promotional spots for the PGA Tour, encouraging viewers to stream tournaments without a contract and reminding fans of upcoming schedule details for the 2026 season. Viewers were also invited to tune into Sky Sports Golf podcasts and to check live golf coverage on Sky Sports, with a note to use Chrome for the best video experience.
In summary, the Laureus World Sport Awards provided a platform to celebrate extraordinary athletic feats, from McIlroy’s historic Masters win and comeback narrative to Norris’s breakthrough championship, as well as the continued excellence of Alcaraz and Sabalenka. The ceremony not only honoured individual triumphs but also reinforced the broader belief that sport can inspire, unite and transform societies worldwide.