Michael Schumacher was last night named the 2002 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.
The German motor racing driver, who won nine Grands Prix on his way to last year's Formula One world title, claimed the award ahead of golfer Tiger Woods (winner for the past two years), Tour de France cycling king Lance Armstrong, sprint ace Maurice Greene and swimming star Ian Thorpe.
The decision follows Sunday's controversial finish to the Austrian Grand Prix, which ended in farce as Schumacher triumphed after team-mate Rubens Barrichello was denied ordered by team bosses to move over just metres from the chequered flag.
American Jennifer Capriati, the reigning French and Australian Open tennis champion, won the Sportswoman of the Year title, finishing ahead of compatriot Venus Williams, record-breaking pole vaulter Stacy Dragila, swimming sensation Inge de Bruijn and golfer Annika Sorenstam.
The Australian cricket team, who stretched their world-record winning streak in test matches to 16 last year, were named Laureus World Team of the Year.
Wimbledon tennis champion Goran Ivanisevic won the Comeback of the Year award, and Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya was voted World Newcomer of the Year.
Brazilian skateboarder Bob Burnquist was named World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year, and wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer was chosen as World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
New Zealand yachting legend Sir Peter Blake, who was murdered by pirates in the Amazon last year, was awarded both the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.