Chinese swimming sensation Qin Haiyang earns first-ever nomination for Laureus Awards

Chinese swimming sensation Qin Haiyang has received his very first nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards. This well-deserved recognition comes on the heels of his exceptional performance during the 2023 season, where the 24-year-old left a trail of shattered records in his wake.  

Often referred to as the "Oscars of Sport," these illustrious awards are marking their 25th anniversary and will be presented at a dazzling gala in Madrid on April 22. The winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of 69 members from the Laureus World Sports Academy, which boasts an impressive lineup of legendary athletes.

Qin has been shortlisted for the highly coveted World Breakthrough of the Year award. Sharing the spotlight with the likes of Jude Bellingham, the influential Real Madrid superstar, Josh Kerr, the Scottish world 1,500m champion, and Coco Gauff, the American tennis prodigy who clinched her first Grand Slam title at last year's U.S. Open.

Qin's defining moment of 2023 occurred during the 200m breaststroke finals at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka. It was in this exhilarating race that he etched his name in history, clocking a remarkable time of 2 minutes, 5.48 seconds. This incredible feat shaved off a stunning 47 hundredths of a second from the previous world record set by Australia's Zac Stubblety-Cook.  

Qin's victory in the 200m breaststroke not only solidified his place among the greats but also made him the first male swimmer ever to sweep the 50m, 100m and 200m titles in any stroke at a single edition of the World Championships. Building upon his triumph in Fukuoka, Qin showcased his dominance by sweeping the breaststroke events and securing an impressive collection of five gold medals at the Asian Games. But Qin's thirst for victory didn't stop there. 

As he returned to the international racing scene for the highly competitive Swimming World Cup series, he left his competitors in awe. With effortless poise and efficiency, he blazed through the tournament, emerging victorious in all nine races he participated in. 

Eyes will also be fixed on the World Sportsman of the Year award, where Erling Haaland, the prolific goal scorer from Manchester City who netted an astounding 52 goals across all competitions during their triumphant treble-winning season last year, finds himself in a fierce competition.  

The Norwegian striker's performance places him in contention with illustrious big-names such as tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, and U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles. The battle for this accolade promises to be nothing short of captivating.

In addition to the individual awards, City have also received a noteworthy nomination for the World Team of the Year Award. This recognition comes in the wake of their phenomenal achievements, including clinching their fifth Premier League title in just six years and securing their first-ever Champions League trophy.  

However, City will face stiff competition in their quest for the prize, as they contend with formidable opponents such as Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, the renowned F1 team Red Bull Racing, and the triumphant Spanish women's national team, who defied the odds to win the World Cup.