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Man of the Year
Translations by nou.amic, compiled by MAC

Rafa Nadal
Screencaps by MAC

From abc.es translated for us by nou.amic.

Vanity Fair magazine's annual award to the personality they consider stands out most for their influence, "Personality of the Year", has this year, 2012, fallen to tennis player Rafa Nadal. The choice is made each year by the magazine from outstanding celebrities in the spheres of politics, sports, society, charity and culture.

Rafael Nadal has obtained the award from the magazine for "his brilliant sports career, his talent, constancy, intelligence and solidarity which have made him an example and a motive of pride for millions of Spaniards".

The publication is awarding the prize to the Balearic tennis player as recognition for the solidarity he shows through his work with the "Rafa Nadal Foundation" and for winning Roland Garros for the seventh time in 2012, together with the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters 1000 and the Conde de Godó.

This is the second edition of the "Vanity Fair Personality of the Year Award". The first went to Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas-Llosa.

Rafa Nadal
Screencaps by MAC

From vanitatis.com translated for us by nou.amic.

Speaking on his arrival at the Vanity Fair gala, José Ignacio Wert, Spain's Minister of Education and Sport, pinpointed one of the motives for Rafa being chosen as VF Personality of the Year 2012:

"Rafa Nadal the athlete cannot be separated from Nadal as a person. I believe it is precisely the marvellous person he is that has turned him into a marvellous tennis player. He is an example to young Spaniards because of his dedication, his sacrifice and for being one of the sportsmen who has most feeling for wearing Spain's colours."

Rafa Nadal
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diariodemallorca.es translated for us by nou.amic.

Rafael Nadal, who on Monday was presented with the award "Personality of the Year" by Vanity Fair Spain magazine for "his brilliant sports trajectory, intelligence and solidarity", said in his declarations to the media that he was happy "to be part of a great epoch in Spanish sport. I think Spain has a multitude of personalities and athletes at the very top of their field who are much loved by everybody."

Rafa Nadal
Screencaps by MAC

Last year, the annual award given by the magazine to "the personality most outstanding for their influence in present day society in any of its spheres" fell to Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa. In this the second edition, it has gone to the Mallorcan tennis player, who as well as being outstanding in his sport devotes time and energy to benevolent works through his Foundation Rafa Nadal.

Rafa Nadal
Screencaps by MAC

Nadal said he felt "pleased and grateful" for the award, and that the personality of the year should principally be someone who is a "good person".

Rafa Nadal
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The gala at which the award was handed over was attended by personalities from the worlds of culture and sport as well as the Economics Minister, Luis de Guindos, who emphasised how much he admired Nadal, who he considers to be "a fighter and a gentleman". "He is one of the best tennis players in history and, without a doubt, one of Spain's greatest sportsmen," he stated. "I think he is an example of overcoming difficulties in these times when Spanish society is going through difficulties," added the minister, who also said he hoped "the Spanish economy will follow in Nadal's wake".

Rafa Nadal
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Lastly, Boris Izaguirre, said that "his good manners and his very naturally carried leadership" were what stood out in the Mallorcan tennis player.