Last night in Abu Dhabi Stephanie Gilmore was recognised with one of highest honours in the sporting world, a Laureus award.

The Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest athletes across all sports each year.  The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury -the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

After receiving the prestigious award in the action sports category from film star Hugh Grant and former Australia Test cricket captain Steve Waugh, Stephanie said: "This is unbelievable. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would get this award. Winning this Award is up there with winning world titles and I hope I can use it to inspire young girls to do well.

"Only over the last few days have I really learned so much about Laureus, the Academy, the positive projects and the phenomenal people who are behind it all. It has blown me away. I just go surfing, and have so much fun doing it, so achieving this award is amazing."

Fellow surfers Mick Fanning and Greg Long were also nominated.

The Awards were announced in seven categories. The winners were:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Usain Bolt
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Laureus World Team of the Year: Brawn GP Formula One
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jenson Button
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Kim Clijsters
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Natalie du Toit
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Stephanie Gilmore