Beijing (CNS) -- Global sports journalists have voted to send Chinese athletes Li Na, Liu Xiang and Yani Tseng to the candidate seats of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, known as the Oscar of Sports. The nomination list was officially released in London on Thursday, local time.
Li Na, nominated for "Breakthrough of the Year," is the first chair among Chinese woman tennis players. Her achievements this past year include a grand slam at the French Open making her the first Chinese to seize that title, and dazzling performances at the Australian Open and the Sydney International Tournament.
Candidate Liu Xiang is a contender for "Comeback of the Year." A darling since his triumph at the Athens Olympics, he has once again won the hearts of many by courageously conquering his physical injuries and pain. The world is awaiting his revival in the London Olympics.
Yani Tseng, a golfer from Taiwan, is likely to become the next "Sportswoman of the Year." She is the first Chinese to win a professional grand slam and has stacked up more prize money than any other player in the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
The final results, to be decided by 47 of the most influential and legendary athletes of the age, will be declared at the award ceremony to be held in London on February 6, 2012, and broadcast to about 120 countries and regions.
