AIS and Australian swimming sensation Matthew Cowdrey has made the short list of the 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Cowdrey is among a host of top quality athletes nominated in the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category.

The 21-year-old earned the nomination after winning five-gold and one silver medal at last year’s IPC World Championships in the Netherlands.

His outstanding effort included a new world record time in the 100m backstroke.

Cowdrey also set a world record at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in the men’s 50m freestyle S9 classification. 

Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses said 2010 had been another great year for sport and the Academy would find it extremely difficult to decide who to vote for as winners of the different categories.

‘We have had several massive events in 2010 - notably the FIFA World Cup and the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and that has been reflected in the Nominations,’ Moses said.

‘There has been a host of amazing individual and team performances and I congratulate all the nominees and now we look forward to what should be a great Awards Ceremony next month in Abu Dhabi."

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Verena Bentele (Germany) Skiing / Biathlon - won five gold medals in the Winter Paralympics

Matt Cowdrey (Australia) Swimming - won five gold and a silver medal in IPC World Championships

Daniel Dias (Brazil) Swimming -broke five world records and won eight titles at World Championships

Jakub Krako (Slovakia) Alpine Skiing - visually impaired, won three gold medals in Winter Paralympics

Esther Vergeer (Netherlands) Wheelchair Tennis - unbeaten run in singles dates back eight years

Lauren Woolstencroft (Canada) Alpine Skiing - won five Paralympic golds in front of her home crowd