Phelps defeats Woods to win male athlete at ESPYs

Beth Harris - AP July 17, 2009

Espy

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

(L-R) Garrett Weber-Gale, Michael Phelps, and Cullen Jones accept the award for Best Moment (US Wins Olympic Swimming Relay) onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles-- Michael Phelps has won a leading five ESPY Awards, including male athlete of the year, ending the five-year reign of Tiger Woods, who earned his record 22nd trophy. 

The 14-time Olympic gold medalist has also collected trophies Wednesday night for record-breaking performance, championship performance, and male Olympian while sharing the best moment award as part of the victorious 400-meter freestyle swimming relay at the Beijing Games.

Phelps won a record eight gold medals in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record of seven golds in a single games.

Olympic all-around gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin has won female athlete of the year.

Copyright 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

 

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