Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and U.S. tennis player Serena Williams won the Laureus sportsman and sportswoman of the year respectively on Wednesday.

Bolt, who claimed the Laureus award for the second successive year, won three gold medals at the 2009 world athletics championships, setting world records in both the 100 meters and 200 meters.

Williams, who had won the award in 2003, was winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters earned the award for the comeback of the year. Clijsters won the U.S. Open last year after returning to tennis following a break of almost two years.

The world team award went to Formula One racing team Brawn GP which won the 2009 championships with Jenson Button, who was honoured with for breakthrough of the year.

The award for sportsperson of the year with a disability went to South African Natalie du Toit, the first amputee ever to qualify for the Olympics, while Australian Stephanie Gilmore, three-time surfing world champion, won the award for action sportsperson of the year.