Usain Bolt does it again

The 23-year-old Olympic triple medalist received his 2009 award last night at a ceremony where 24-year-old American Sanya Richards took the female title.(Photo: SportingEagle.com)

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, November 23, 2009 – Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt has been named the Male World Athlete of the year for the second consecutive year.

The 23-year-old Olympic triple medalist received his 2009 award last night at a ceremony where 24-year-old American Sanya Richards took the female title.

 “It’s been an amazing season, but also a trying season,” said Bolt, who broke his own World records with stunning 9.58 and 19.19 performances at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

“To be named athlete of the year is such a great honour, it shows that all the work we put in pays off.”

Like Bolt in the shorter sprints, Richards dominated the women’s 400m, producing seven of the year’s 10 fastest performances and finally won her first World title.

“I was asked if this feeling would be the same as being World champion and it really is,” said Richards, who had previously been named World Athlete of the Year in 2006. “Considering the other athletes I was up against this year, I know this must have been a really tough decision.”

Richard’s coach Clyde Hart was named Coach of the Year.