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In a sport dominated for years by the Chinese and South-East Asians, breaking into top 10 is no mean feat. The famous Hyderabadi shuttler Saina Nehwal has already became the first Indian to have won a Super Series title when she triumphed in Indonesian event in June. With such series of achievements she was deservedly awarded as Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year for her stupendous show in 2009.
Saina Nehwal
In the event India cricketer Virat Kohli was adjudged the Young Player of the Year while India’s Davis Cup Squad was named as the Team of the Year.
Jamaican super sprinter Usain Bolt, a Beijing Olympic gold medallist, was chosen as the International Sportsperson of the Year while the Lifetime Achievement award will be given posthumously to former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur.
