The World team award went to South Africa's rugby union team who defeated England 15-6 in the World Cup final final at the Stade de France, Paris in October after going through the tournament unbeaten.

"We had a squad in France that were able to inspire and we hope that will make it a better South Africa for all," said winger Bryan Habana who finished the tournament as top try scorer.

There were awards also for two British favourites in Lewis Hamilton and Paula Radcliffe.

The 22-year-old Hamilton won the World Breakthrough of the Year award for leading the Formula One championship in his rookie season for much of the way, only losing out to Kimi Raikkonen in the closing Brazil Grand Prix.

He won four Grands Prix, the most ever in a debut season.

"Last year I was preparing for my first Grand Prix and I was always wanting to come to the Laureus Awards and meet the stars. I am very fortunate.

"I know what to expect now - the long trips, the new countries - it was a steep learning curve. This year I will approach it with as much, if not more, motivation having lost the world title by just one point."

Radcliffe took the Comeback of the Year award for winning the gruelling New York marathon after taking two years out of the sport to have a baby.

The other main awards went to Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer as World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and US skateboarder Shaun White as World Action Sportsperson of the Year.

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