By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Fresh from winning the 2021/22 Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich on Saturday, striker Robert Lewandowski has been revealed as the winner of the 2022 Laureus Exceptional Achievement award at the Laureus Awards ceremony in Seville.
Bestowed upon a sportswoman or sportsman who has reshaped the boundaries of sport and who has set new standards for those to follow, the award recognises Lewandowski’s sporting prowess as well as his social work away from the pitch.
“I’d like to thank the Laureus Academy for the award,” Lewandowski said. “It really means a lot to be recognised by such wonderful people, athletes, legends of the entire sporting world. It has a really special meaning for me as a sportsman and man.
“I know sportsmen don’t get anything for free. There are no shortcuts to success in professional sports. If you want to be the best, you have to do your best. But I also believe that no athlete will ever succeed on his own. I remind myself of that whenever I win trophies or prizes. That’s why I want to thank all those who support me.”
The full list of 2022 Winners:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Max Verstappen
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Elaine Thompson-Herah
Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Italy Men’s Football Team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Emma Raducanu
Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Sky Brown
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Marcel Hug
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Bethany Shriever
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Brady
Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Robert Lewandowski
Laureus Sporting Icon Award: Valentino Rossi
Laureus Sport for Good Award: Lost Boyz Inc
Laureus Sport for Good Society Award: Real Madrid Foundation
Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Gerald Asamoah and the Black Eagles
The Winners were voted on by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the world’s ultimate sports jury, made up of 71 of the greatest sporting legends of all time. The Awards are widely known as the Oscars of the sports world and celebrate the best of the best athletes from across the globe.