Tyler Wright, Sally Pearson up for Laureus Sports awards

SURFER Tyler Wright’s return from a potentially season-ending knee injury to win a second world crown and Sally Pearson’s comeback to win another world title has seen the pair nominated for prestigious Laureus world sports awards.

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SURFER Tyler Wright’s return from a potentially season-ending knee injury to win a second world crown and Sally Pearson’s comeback to win another world title has seen the pair make the shortlist for the prestigious Laureus world sports awards.

Wright’s amazing world title win with a brace on her knee in Hawaii in December has seen her become one of only two Australians to make the shortlist cut for the annual awards.

It is also the second straight nomination for Wright who has earned praise from seven-time world champion Layne Beachley.

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“I have so much respect for her,” said Beachley, winner of the 2004 Action Sportsperson of the Year.

World champion surfer Tyler Wright with her trophy.

“In 2016 she showed tremendous maturity and tenacity to claim her maiden world title despite the worries of helping her brother recover from head injuries after a surfing accident in Hawaii.

“2017 saw her overcome a serious knee injury that had the potential to end her season and title campaign. That’s the determination you expect from an Aussie.”

Showing similar determination was Pearson who overcame a string of injuries to return to the top of her game at the world championships in 2017.

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Pearson is in the Comeback of the Year category which also includes the Brazilian football team Chapecoense, back in action after the tragic plane crash, Roger Federer, FC Barcelona, Justin Gatlin and MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi.

Sally Pearson after winning the 100m hurdles in London.

Wright is vying for the World Action Award with men’s surfing world champion John John Florence, skateboarder Nyjah Huston, French sailor Armel Le Cléac’h and snowboarders Anna Gasser and Mark McMorris.

The winners will be named at a gala function in Monaco in February.

Distance runner Mo Farah, F1’s Lewis Hamilton, cyclist Chris Froome, tennis star Rafael Nadal, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Federer have been nominated for Sportsman of the Year.

Americans Allyson Felix (track), Katie Ledecky (swimming), Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing) and Serena Williams (tennis) are in contention for the Sportswoman of the Year award with South African runner Caster Semenya and Spanish tennis ace Garbine Muguruza.

Originally published as Tyler Wright, Sally Pearson up for Laureus Sports awards