 Richards and Powell were each given $100,000 to go with their awards |
Asafa Powell and Sanya Richards have been named as the International Association of Athletics Federations' World Athletes of the Year for 2006. Powell claimed his first major 100m gold for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games in March and remained unbeaten in all 16 finals he contested.
The 23-year-old also twice equalled his own 100m world record of 9.77 seconds.
Richards, 21, was also unbeaten over 400m and clocked 48.70 seconds to break the 22-year-old American record.
That time, set during the World Cup final in Athens, broke Valerie Brisco-Hooks' mark from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Richards, who is coached by Michael Johnson and Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner's coach Clyde Hart, also moved to seventh on the all-time list.
 | I was able to break the American record and that has been my highlight because I knew I could do it |
"I was pleasantly surprised to win the award because I was up against two phenomenal athletes," Richards told BBC Sport.
"But I wouldn't say it was a complete surprise as I have worked really hard and my Dad kept telling me what I needed to do this season.
"I was able to break the American record and that has been my highlight because I knew I could do it."
Powell and Richards, along with Wariner, also won all six prestigious Golden League meetings to share the jackpot.
Powell was in imperious form all season, dipping under 10 seconds in 12 finals.
The Commonwealth champion remarkably matched his world record in June on a Gateshead track not known for fast times and then repeated the feat at the Zurich Golden League in August.
| Next year, I'll work even harder and hopefully win the world title |
"Last year I wanted to win this title but I didn't because I got injured," said Powell.
"This year I worked hard and I'm thankful to get this award. It is a major accomplishment to realise that people recognise the hard work I put into the sport and they actually vote for me.
"Next year, I'll work even harder and hopefully win the world title.
"Zurich is definitely the best memory of my 2006 season. It's a race that I won't forget.
"Brussels was another good moment, I know it would have been another world record if I hadn't had such a bad start."
Powell pipped two-time Olympic discus champion Virgilijus Alekna and Liu Xiang, who broke the 110m hurdle world record this season, to the men's award.
Richards won the IAAF vote ahead of Commonwealth 200m champion Sherone Simpson and Ethiopian Meseret Defar, who set a new world 5,000m record.
Performances of the Year:
China's Liu Xiang for running 12.88 seconds at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Lausanne to become the outright holder of the 110m Hurdles World record.Ethiopia's Meseret Defar for breaking the 5,000m world record in New York City. Distinguished Career Awards:
Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco), Stefka Kostadinova (Bulgaria), Jan Zelezny (Czech Republic). Rising Star Award:
Margus Hunt (Estonia). Coaches' Award:
Woldemeskel Kostre (Ethiopia).
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