Novak Djokovic or Tom Brady? Tough choices for Laureus World Sports Awards

Cape Town – Who should be crowned the best woman and man in the sporting world for 2021?

Well, the Laureus World Sports Awards aim to do just that, and they announced their nominees on Wednesday – and it will be no easy task separating so many superstars.

For the World Sportswoman of the Year, Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah may stand out for many as a favourite after clinching gold in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Olympics.

Laureus Academy Member and athletics legend Michael Johnson said: “Elaine Thompson-Herah, 100 metres, 200 metres, repeating as champion, which is very difficult to do, and threatening one of the oldest and most impressive world records in the books, the women’s 100 metres. I mean, we haven’t talked about anyone threatening that record for years.”

But what about Australian swimmer Emma McKeon, who claimed an unbelievable four gold and three bronze medals at the Olympics?

The category for the World Sportsman of the Year is not an easy choice either. NFL star Tom Brady, who announced his retirement on Tuesday at the age of 44, is the best ever quarterback, and secured a seventh Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But can Novak Djokovic be ignored? Despite his controversial exit from Australia recently due to Covid-19 issues, the Serbian ruled the tennis world last year, winning three Grand Slam titles – the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon – to move up to 20 in total.

How about Max Verstappen, who held off Lewis Hamilton in one of the most thrilling finales to a Formula One season to become the world champion in Abu Dhabi? Or American swimmer Caeleb Dressel’s five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics?

Then we haven’t even mentioned Kenyan star Eliud Kipchoge’s