Chinese Paraswimmer Jiang Yuyan Wins Laureus Sports Award
Chinese paraswimmer Jiang Yuyan was named the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability this week at the annual Laureus Sports Awards.
Jiang was the only winner from the aquatics disciplines Monday night in Madrid, the 25th annual presentation of the awards.
An S6 swimmer, the native of Shaoxing was 19 at the Paris Paralympics, where she won seven gold medals, making her the most decorated swimmer at the competition. Her performance included individual medals in the 50 freestyle, 100 free, 400 free, 100 backstroke and 50 butterfly (all in S6 except for the S7 400 free). She also helped China win two relay medals. Jiang set world records in the 50 free and 100 free in Paris.
Jiang won gold medals in the S6 50 fly and S6 400 free at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, to go with silver in the 100 back and bronze in the S7 100 free. She began swimming after a car accident led to the amputation of her right arm and leg at age three.
“I am very happy to be here today,” Jiang told the South China Morning Post. “I want to thank my coach, my family and my fans. You are always an inspiration, and I am grateful for having you by my side and believing in me.
“I lost my right arm and leg when I was three years old in an accident – that made me who I am, but it was swimming that really shaped me. In the water, I could move quickly and I was able to feel freedom and choose my way, so to anyone who has a disability, I want to tell you not allow anyone to say to you what you can and can’t do: chase your dreams, because you are capable of many things more than you think.”
The Laureus Awards promote the use of sports for good. Founded in 2000 under the patronage of South African president Nelson Mandela, the organization has established a charity network and grant infrastructure around the world to promote athletes. It currently supports more than 200 programs in 40 countries.
As part of its efforts, the organization annually hands out the Laureus Sport Awards in seven categories, recognizing outstanding athletes, teams and programs. Candidates are shortlisted in consultation with intentional bodies and sports media, then the winners are voted by sporting legends who are members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
Leon Marchand, after winning four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was one of the finalists at the 2025 Awards for World Sportsman of the Year, won by Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis. American Caeleb Dressel and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus were among the nominees for World Comeback of the Year. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade took home that honor. Summer McIntosh, the Canadian swimmer who won three golds and four medals in Paris, was nominated as the World Breakthrough of the Year. Spanish soccer player Lamine Yamal won that vote.