Former Chinese tennis star Li Na poses with the trophy after winning the Exceptional Achievement award at the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Retired Chinese tennis star Li Na won the Exceptional Achievement award ­instead of the Sportswoman of the Year in a six-person competition, for her contribution to the promotion of the sport in China, at the 16th Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday.

"It's a recognition from a premier world sports awards. For me, it's a fortune to choose tennis," said Li, who ­collected her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2014.

However, Li, along with her arch-rival Serena Williams of the US, did not put their hands on the trophy, and the honor went to Ethiopian track-and-field star Genzebe Dibaba.

On February 1 in Karlsruhe, Germany, Dibaba broke the 1,500 meters indoor record, five days later it was the 3,000 meters in Stockholm. On February 15 in Birmingham, she broke the two-mile record, joining Jesse Owens of the US and Usain Bolt of Jamaica as the only athletes to break world records in three different events in just half a month.

China's other prominent sports figure Yao Ming was awarded the Spirit of Sport, based on his contribution to ­social welfare. The 2.26-meter Shanghai ­local celebrated his glory at the ­ceremony, ­becoming a newcomer to the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia, currently ATP World No.1, was honored Sportsman of the Year, beating five other nominees: Lewis Hamilton (Britain), Renaud Lavillenie (France), Rory McIlroy (Britain), Marc Marquez (Spain) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).

Djokovic won the Wimbledon title for the second time in 2014, defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the ­final in five sets, and it was his seventh career Grand Slam title, which enabled him to return to No.1 for the first time since September 2013.

After winning the ATP World Tour ­Finals, Djokovic clinched his fourth season-­ending crown, also becoming the first player since Ivan Lendl to win three year-end titles in a row (1985-87).

The German soccer team won the Team of the Year for their success in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. After winning over Argentina 1-0 in overtime in the final, they became the first European team to win the most prestigious honor in soccer in South America. Australian motor racer Daniel Rhicciardo won the Breakthrough of the Year award, while the Comeback of the Year award went to South African rugby player Schalk ­Burger, who survived life-­threatening bacterial meningitis.

Former Chinese basketball star Yao Ming poses with the trophy after winning the Spirit of Sport award at the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Recently retired Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
 

Chinese boxer Zou Shiming attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
 

Former Chinese gymnast Li Xiaopeng and his family attend the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Former Brazilian soccer star Cafu attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Spanish soccer player Carles Puyol and his wife attend the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
 

French actor and former international footballer Eric Cantona attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

 

South African rugby player Schalk Burger poses with the trophy after winning the Comeback of the Year award at the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

 

American skydiver Alan Eustace poses with the trophy after winning the World Action Sportsperson of the Year award at the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Former Chinese tennis star Li Na and husband Jiang Shan attend the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Former Chinese basketball star Yao Ming attends the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT