Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year

The Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year (previously known as the Laureus World Sports Award for Newcomer of the Year until 2007)^[2] is an annual award honoring the achievements of individuals or teams who deliver breakthrough performances in the world of sports. First presented in 2000, it is one of seven constituent awards within the Laureus World Sports Awards.^[1] The awards are presented by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a global organization involved in over 150 charity projects supporting 500,000 young people. The inaugural ceremony took place on 25 May 2000 in Monte Carlo, where Nelson Mandela delivered the keynote address.^[3] As of 2020^[update], a shortlist of six nominees for the award comes from a panel composed of the "world's leading sports editors, writers and broadcasters".^[1] The Laureus World Sports Academy then selects the individual winner or winning team who is presented with a Laureus statuette, created by Cartier, at an annual awards ceremony held in various locations around the world.^[4] The awards are considered highly prestigious and are frequently referred to as the sporting equivalent of "Oscars".^[5][6][7]

Awarded for"Awarded to the sportsperson or team whose performance as a newcomer suggests the greatest potential for an outstanding career or to an established sportsman or sportswoman who produces a significant step-up in class to a considerably higher level of sporting achievement."^[1]

LocationMadrid (2026)

Presented byLaureus Sport for Good Foundation

First award2000

Quick facts Awarded for, Location ...

Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year
Lando Norris, 2026 winner
Awarded for	"Awarded to the sportsperson or team whose performance as a newcomer suggests the greatest potential for an outstanding career or to an established sportsman or sportswoman who produces a significant step-up in class to a considerably higher level of sporting achievement."[1]
Location	Madrid (2026)
Presented by	Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
First award	2000
Currently held by	Lando Norris (2026)
Website	Official website

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The inaugural winner of the award was the Spanish golfer Sergio García. During his debut season as a professional, the 19-year-old finished one stroke behind Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and became the youngest player to gain selection for Team Europe for the Ryder Cup.^[8][9] In 2018 he also became the first and, As of 2020^[update], only person to win the award twice, after winning his first major golf tournament (The Masters) at the age of 37.^[10] Altogether, the award has been won by five women and eighteen men, although several teams have also been nominated. British sportspeople have won more awards than any other nationality with six, followed by Spanish with five. Tennis players are the most successful overall with seven wins, followed by golfers with six. The winner in 2017 was the German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg. Having beaten teammate Lewis Hamilton to the 2016 World Championship title by five points, Rosberg announced his retirement from the sport five days later, two months prior to collecting his Laureus statuette.^[11][12] The 2026 winner of the award was the British racing driver Lando Norris.^[13]