New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Gymnast Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Olympic all- around champion, was honored as the 2008 Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation on Tuesday.

The award was presented to Liukin at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Liukin, who won five medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, is the second gymnast to win the award and the first since Mary Lou Retton in 1984.

"Winning this award is a great honor for Nastia and we are extremely proud of her," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "Nastia is the epitome of a true sportswoman. Her results reflect her hard work, dedication and love of gymnastics, and her style reflects great dignity and grace."

A native of Parker, Texas, Liukin won a total of five medals in Beijing, equaling the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals at one Summer Games.

A total of 10 women were nominated for the individual award, which was based on athletic achievements from Aug. 1, 2007, through Aug. 24, 2008. The other nine finalists were: Mao Asada, figure skating; Veronica Campbell-Brown, track; Natalie Coughlin, swimming; Ashley Fiolek, motocross; Allison Fisher, billiards; Yelena Isinbayeva, pole vault; Lorena Ochoa, golf; Lindsey Vonn, downhill skiing; and Rebecca Ward, fencing.

The team award went to softball player Jessica Mendoza.