Vinesh Phogat Becomes 1st Indian To Be Nominated For Laureus Sports Award

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has become the first Indian to be nominated for the prestigious Laureus Sports Award. The Asian Games gold medalist has made it to the ‘Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award’ category, alongside golfer Tiger Woods.
The 24-year old wrestler, who won gold medal at the XXI Commonwealth Games had made a sensational comeback after a long injury she sustained during the Quarter Finals of 50kg freestyle wrestling event at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Among the others nominated are Winter Olympic athletes – Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris, US ski racing legend Lindsey Vonn and Dutch Paralympic champion Bibian Mentel-Spee.

The last time an Indian sporting feat made its way to the Laureus World Sports Awards was in 2004 when the Indian Cricket Team and Pakistan Cricket Team shared the Laureus Sport for Good Award for playing an International match despite political tensions between the two countries. Most recently, Magic Bus from India won the Laureus Sport for Good award in 2014.

However, Vinesh has made history as she is the first Indian athlete to be nominated in one of the seven main categories at the Laureus World Sports Awards.