In a great night for triathlon, Ironman World Champion and 2008 Olympic triathlon champion Jan Frodeno (GER) has been crowned the Laureus Action Sportsperson of the Year, while Swiss triathlete and Ironman World Champion Daniela Ryf was named as a new Laureus sport ambassador.

Considered the Oscar’s for sports, the Laureus were awarded Monday night in Berlin in a glittering ceremony, where Novak Djokovik was named Sportsman of the year and Serena Williams Sportswoman of 2016, while the New Zealand’s All Blacks got the Team of the Year award.

“What an amazing journey our sport has sent me on and what an amazing time to be in the game of triathlon. Grateful to share this truly happy, nerve wrecking, grateful and breath taking night with my best friend and wife @emmafrodeno. Off for a run to celebrate a way only an endurance freak might appreciate”, said Frodeno on Instagram after receiving the award.

This was the first time a triathlete was nominated for a Laureus award. Frodeno won the Olympic gold in Beijing 2008 and is the current Ironman world champion, as well as the Ironman European Champion.

Frodeno’s colleague Daniela Ryf, alos a current Ironman World Champion, was also named as a new Laureus sport ambassador, a select group of current and retired athletes who have achieved sporting greatness and who will work with the organization to make significant contributions to the sporting community from now on. 

“I’m extremely honoured and excited to be named as a new Laureus ambassador. I hope to help to improve other young people lives and I’m looking forward to the upcoming projects. Sport can give you hope. My dreams came true because I believed in sport,” said Ryf.

Other awards of this year were given to Brazilian Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias as the best Sportsperson of the year with a disability; Austrian former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda for life time achievement;  USA golf player Jordan Spieth for Breakthrough of the year; New Zealand rugby player Dan Carter for Best comeback of the year and Johan Cruyff received the Spirit of Sport award.