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Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Kento Momota hold Asian hopes at Laureus World Sports Awards
- Osaka nominated for Sportswoman of the Year after US Open triumph and social advocacy
- Momota nominated for best comeback having returned to badminton world number one after car crash
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Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka and world badminton number one Kento Momota are again leading the way for Asia, this time as contenders for the virtual Laureus World Sports Awards.
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The 23-year-old Osaka, who won her third grand slam at the US Open last year and added her fourth at the Australian Open this month, was nominated for 2020 World Sportswoman of the Year.
The former world number one had won Laureus’ breakthrough award two years earlier but joins the marquee category for her performances and advocacy.
“It is an honour to once again be nominated for a Laureus award by the world’s media. This is special because Laureus sees the big picture – not just sport on the court or the pitch, but how it can help young people around the world. This is a time that sport can make a big difference in so many ways and really help to change the world,” said Osaka, who frequently speaks up about race and gender inequality.
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Also nominated alongside now-world number two Osaka is Dutch cyclist Anna van der Breggen, Italian skier Federica Brignone, Kenyan runner Brigid Kosgei, French footballer Wendie Renard, and American basketball player Breanna Stewart.
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