Chennai, Dec 12: Legendary Indian sportspersons Ramanathan Krishnan of tennis and former cricket captain and opening batsman, Sunil Gavaskar were chosen for the 'Lifetime Achievement' award by the Asian Sports Press Union (ASPU) at Kuala Lumpur today.

Malaysian badminton great Dato Eddy Choong was also selected for the award, an official release said today. The ASPU also named Chinese hurdler and Athens Olympics hero Liu Xiang and Squash star Nicol David as the winners of the inaugural Asian Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year (2006) awards.

Ramanathan Krishnan, who had the distinction of being the first Asian to make it to the singels semifinals of the Wimbledon championships, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The former tennis sensation's other achievements include winning the Wimbledon Juniors title, London Grass Court Championship, American Hard Court Championship, and the Asian Lawn Tennis Singles title.

He was ranked world number three in 1959. In 1966, Krishnan was awarded the Helms World Trophy for the foremost sportsman from Asia.

UNI