The Xinhua News Agency's Sports Department selected the top ten international athletes in 2023 as follows (in alphabetical order):
3. Nikola Jokic (Serbia, male, 28 years old, basketball)
In the 2022-2023 NBA season, Serbian center Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to win the first championship trophy in team history, and he was personally elected as the Most Valuable Player (FMVP) of the Finals. Although he was not named the Most Valuable Player of the Season for the third time in a row, his season's 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game are still top-notch.
It's Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (front left) who was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2022-2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Xiaoling
It's Mikaela Shifrin of the United States in the women's slalom at the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Zagreb on January 4, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Pixsell Images/Mattia Habjak)
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates his victory after the 2023 Formula One World Championship (F1) Grand Prix in Bahrain on March 5, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Qian Jun)
On October 23, 2023, Chinese player Qin Haiyang was selected as the 2023 FINA Best Male Athlete in Budapest, Hungary. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Ferti Otilo)
Australia's Kelly McKeown celebrates her victory after the women's 200m backstroke final at the Fukuoka World Swimming Championships on July 29, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xia Fangfang
It's Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the men's singles medal ceremony at the 2023 French Open tennis tournament on June 11, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Jing
It's August 22, 2023, when Kenya's Faith Kippye celebrates her victory after the women's 1500m final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Song Yanhua
It's April 23, 2023, when Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line at the 2023 London Marathon. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
This is Spain player Aitana Bonmati at the 2023 Women's World Cup award ceremony on August 20, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Wei
It's Simon Biles of the United States at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships balance beam medal ceremony on Oct. 8, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong