Bolt on top again

He's a man of many firsts and the 2016 Gleaner Honour Awards Man of the Year Usain Bolt again wrote his own chapter in history, after becoming the first three-time recipient of the much-vaunted award on a day that saw other sporting icons being recognised.

Bolt, who also won his fourth category award for sports, shared the sporting limelight with double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson (sports) and road race magnate Alfred 'Franno' Francis' Running Events Limited (health and wellness).

Already sprinting in January and a record fourth Laureus Award in hand, yesterday's recognition was the latest highlight in what is already a great start to Bolt's farewell season.

Yesterday's nod follows Bolt's previous Man of the Year awards in 2008 and 2009, pushing him beyond two-time winners Edward Seaga and Gordon 'Butch' Stewart as the most successful recipient of this award. In 2012, Bolt was presented with a special Jamaica50 Global Jamaican Honour Award.

"It's always a great feeling. I'm really happy, it's been a tough couple of years and I'm finally coming to the end of my career so getting these awards is always a great feeling," Bolt told STAR Sports, shortly after receiving his trophy from Managing Director Christopher Barnes.

Bolt, who reminisced about his early days appearing in The Gleaner's publications was especially proud to become the first three-time Man of the Year recipient.

"I set high standards and it's always good to get to the top and stay there by yourself," he said with a laugh. "Really, it's a great feeling and I will continue trying to do great things even outside of track and field - you never know, I might end up winning in something else."