Six-time European champion Bayern was awarded team of the year and 24-year-old Patrick Mahomes, who led Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance and win in 50 years, won the breakthrough of the year award. The comeback of the year award went to Max Parrot, who returned from Hodgkin's lymphoma to win two golds at the 2020 X-Games.

WBA youth bantamweight champion Zhang Fangyong, who used to make money as a delivery man to fund his dream as a boxer, was nominated for the Laureus sporting moment but lost to eventual winner

"I might retire from my boxing career and become a coach someday, but not now," said Zhang, who told Xinhua the nomination encouraged him to carry on when many around him turned to another profession during the COVID-19. "I will continue my training so that when competitions return, I'm in my best form."