ATHLETICS superstar Usain Bolt has been named Laureus World Sportsman-of-the-Year for the second year running.

Bolt won the 100m and 200m at the 2009 World Championships, breaking his own world records in stunning displays of power sprinting.

The 23-year-old also led Jamaica to gold in the 4x100m relay.

British driver Jenson Button won the Breakthrough-of-the-Year award after claiming his first Formula 1 world title last season.

Bolt cemented his place among the legends of athletics by following up his stunning performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with even better displays in Berlin last year.

He shaved a staggering 0.11 seconds off his own 100m world record with a time of 9.58 seconds and posted an equally unbelievable 19.19 in the 200m.

Bolt said the achievements made 2009 an even better year for him than 2008.

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He said: “For me it was even better because I had a car accident and bounced back and it shows me that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

“I have got to the stage where I know what winning is and how to keep winning and I want to keep running, breaking records and winning championships.”

Button was rewarded for an amazing season in which he won six of the first seven races and held on to claim the title.

The Briton’s former team Brawn GP was honoured with the Team-of-the-Year award.

After receiving his prize, Button joked that it implied that he was a youngster breaking through into the sport: “I think someone forgot to tell Laureus that I’m actually 30 years old.

“It’s a very special feeling to be standing here. Before I started last season I didn’t know I would be racing in Formula One so to clinch the title with Brawn in our first season was very emotional for me.

“This is perfect for wrapping up my 2009 season. Tomorrow I start the 2010 season and hopefully I can come back here next year and be close to winning one of these awards again.”

American tennis player Serena Williams was named Sportswoman-of-the-Year in recognition of a season in which she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Her rival Kim Clijsters claimed Comeback-of-the-Year after returning from a two-year absence to win the US Open title.

South African swimmer Natalie du Toit received the Sportsperson-of-the-Year with a Disability prize and Australian world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore was named Action Sportsperson-of-the-Year. (BBC Sport)