Liukin Named 2008 Sportswoman of the Year

Nastia Liukin, who won five medals at the Beijing Olympics, including the coveted All-Around gold, has been honored as the 2008 Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.

Liukin, 18, received her latest award at the organization's annual Salute to Women in Sports dinner at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Tuesday night. She joins Mary Lou Retton, the 1984 recipient, as the only gymnasts to be so honored.

The nine other nominees were: figure skater Mao Asada, skier Lindsay Vonn, swimmer Natalie Coughlin, pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, golfer Lorena Ochoa, fencer Rebecca Ward, Veronica Campbell-Brown from track, Allison Fisher from billiards, and Ashley Fiolek of motocross.

Softball player Jessica Mendoza received the team award.