The announcement of the Laureus sports awards were met with subdued celebrations in Kuala Lumpur as the winners paid tribute to those affected by the missing Malaysian Airlines airplane.
Formula One world champion German Sebastian Vettel and American swimming sensation Missy Franklin took the top gongs for Sportsman and Woman of the Year respectively.
26-year-old Vettel won a fourth consecutive world championship title, while 18-year-old Franklin became the first woman to win six golds at a single world championships.
The teenager says while the award is a dream come true, it's quickly put in perspective by the Malaysia airlines tragedy.
Malaysia had stepped in to host the ceremony after Rio de Janeiro was dropped amid local reports that the Brazilian state government owed Laureus money.
The All Blacks missed out on the world team of the year award, which went to German football side Bayern Munich.
