ASUNCION – Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been voted top sporting personalities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The announcement was made by AIPS America, the Continental arm of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), following balloting by sports journalists.
Bolt was a clear winner over Gymnast Daniel Corral of Mexico; footballers Radamel García of Mexico and Cuban judoka Asley González.
The Jamaican speedster, who for the fifth time in six years was named IAAF World Male Athlete Of The Year, won three gold medals at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia. He was also the recipient of the AIPS America 2012 Male Athlete Of The Year.
Fraser-Pryce, who was also the IAAF World Female Athlete Of The Year, edged out American tennis star Serena Williams in a second round of voting following a first round tie.
Colombian jumper Catherine Ibarguen and Alexandra Escobar, the weightlifter from Ecuador, were the other female nominees.
The top team for 2013 was the Dominican Republic Baseball team which won their first ever World Baseball Classic title, beating the Netherlands 3-0 in the final where former New York Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. (CMC)
