Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva has been awarded one of Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias prizes in recognition of her success in the sport. Isinbayeva, who broke her own world record of 5.06 meters last Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, said "it is a honor for me to have been awarded with this prize (Prince of Asutrias) and I feel very happy and excited."

Isinbayeva earned 20 votes of the jury to defeat the likes of Marta Dominguez, Haile Gebreselassie, Roger Federer, the Prize's jury said.

She is the first sportswoman in 10 years since Steffi Graf to win the prize.

Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia attends a news conference in Zurich August 27, 2009. Isinbayeva is in Zurich to attend the IAAF Golden League athletics meeting at the Letzigrund stadium on August 28

Juan Carlos King of Spain, said in a statement that "the jury recognized her (Isinbayeva) brilliant sports carrier and her extraordinary success spirit, which have made of her the most outstanding world's athlete in her category."

Last year, Spaniard tennis player Rafael Nadal won the prize.

The award announced Wednesday is one of eight Asturias prizes bestowed each year in areas such as the arts, the sciences, international cooperation and communication.

Isinbayeva, 27, is the current Olympic and European champion. She has broken the world mark 27 times, 15 times in open air (5.06meters) and 12 times in indoors courts (5.00meters).

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