The grand sports awards will be held for the 62^nd time now, continuing the tradition of celebrating and awarding the achievements of Bulgarian athletes who have competed in different fields over the past year. After so many editions, “Sportsperson of the Year” Awards have turned into a tradition for the Bulgarian nation and Bulgarian sportspeople. The importance and scale of the ceremony attract people with different background – from famous Bulgarian public figures, through politicians, to all the sports enthusiasts, of course.

But let’s not forget all the journalists. Their role is tremendous as they represent the jury of the awards. More than 100 renowned journalists from various national electronic and print media channels take part in the voting every year and select nominees in several main categories. They include: “Sportsperson of the Year”, “Team of the Year”, “Athlete with Disabilities of the Year”, and “Coach of the Year”.

A PEEK AT THE PAST

At the very beginning, the awards used to have a bit more modest nature. The very first time when the survey is organized is back 1942 by “Sport” newspaper and it is the readers of the newspaper who select the best athlete at that time. Later on, in 1948 and 1955 the organizer of the poll is “Naroden Sport” newspaper and again the readers determine the winner. In 1956, the poll is carried out by “Radio Sofia”.

The first formal poll is conducted in 1958 when the basketball player Vanya Voinova becomes the first official winner and best athlete of Bulgaria.

Ever since 1994, Nove JSC Holding becomes the official organizer of “Sportsperson of the Year”. The main person behind the event is Vasil Bozhkov – businessman, antique collector, and promoter of the Bulgarian sport in many ways.

From what can be observed, each following ceremony is greater than the previous one in terms of organization, program, and stage performances by some of the best Bulgarian musicians and singers. Last year’s ceremony, for instance, was hosted by two of the most recognizable and charming voices in Bulgaria – the radio and TV host Mitko Pavlov and the loved-by-everyone singer Orlin Pavlov.

As for the upcoming “Sportsperson of the Year” 2019, details will be revealed very soon.

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The big sports family gathers together for the 60^th edition of the awards

Celebrating its 60^th anniversary, the “Sportsperson of the Year in Bulgaria” Awards was held on 19 December, 2017. The event, which was organized by Nove AD Holding, acknowledged the sportsmen in Bulgaria with a spectacular ceremony with the idea to bring together the whole sports family of the Bulgarian sport.

147 journalists from 46 print and digital media agencies participated in the survey that had the goal to determine the best sportsmen, team, and sportsperson with disabilities for 2017. “Trud” newspaper also announced the winner for their annual award “Coach of the Year.”

Special guests at the ceremony were the Vice-President of the Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Tsveta Karayancheva and Mr. Krasen Kralev, Minister of Youth and Sports.

Two irresistible ladies were the hosts of the ceremony – the first Sportsperson of the Year for the New Millennium – Teresa Marinova and the world-famous pop singer Lucy Dyakovska.

The chairman of the Management Board of the  Bulgarian Union for Physical Culture and Sports (BUPCS) – Prof. Svetoslav Ivanov presented for the first time the BUPCS award for “Sports Activist to Anani Lyubenov, Chairman of the Association of Veteran Boxers. The prize was received by the bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964 – the boxer Alexander Nikolov.

With 1 428 points, the best tennis player of Bulgaria Grigor Dimitrov became the “Sportsperson of the Year” for 2017. Although he is not in Bulgaria as he is preparing for the new season, Grigor sent his gratitude for being honored with the price by making a special video from Miami, Florida, where he currently is. The honorary statuette, presented by Ms. Tsveta Karayancheva, chairman of the National Assembly, was accepted by Grivor Dimitrov’s mother – Maria Dimitrova.

“It is an honor for me to award this prize because our athletes glorify Bulgaria. They are our best ambassadors because they lead the way for young people who want to achieve great things in life. They teach them to stand up to their ideas, to be persistent, and to be brave. You do not have to be great in order to get started. You need to start in order to become great.” This is what Mrs. Karayancheva said as she presented the statuette.

Radoslav Yankov climbed one place up in the rank and this year he scooped the 2^nd place with 1 086 points. His father Dimitar Yankov proudly awarded him the price.

The honorable third place was taken by the only lady in this year’s ten candidates – Neviana Vladinova, rhythmic gymnastics, with 729 points. She which proudly accepted the statuette from her father Stanislav Vladinov.

Our young star in swimming sports – Anthony Ivanov, only 18 years old – ranked fourth with 620 points. To Anthony’s great surprise, the award was presented to him by his two sisters, Maria and Erica.

The boxer Daniel Asenov stood fifth with 598 points. He was rewarded by his tender other half and sparring partner, Rosalia Peicheva.

The top ten for Sportsman of the year 2017 was completed by Alexander Vesenkov – basketball, with 482 points, Vladimir Iliev – biathlon, with 369 points, Boyan Petrov – climbing, 322 points, Vladimir Dalakliev, taekwondo – 276 points. Vladimir also received Eurofootball award for “Sports Talent of the Year” – the general sponsor of “Sportsperson of the Year.” The prize was presented by Mrs. Elitsa Ivanova, Director of Marketing. She said; “Five years ago, we wanted you to be part of this prestigious ten people. Today this has become a reality. We wish you to continue to live your dreams!” Finally, Tihomir Ivanov, athletics – with 251 points, took the tenth place. Families and relatives of the winners presented some awarding statuettes as well.

This year, the winner of the “Athlete with disabilities” became Ruzhdi Ruzhdi with 1330 points.

The National Rhythmic Gymnastics Ensemble won the first place in the “Team of the Year” category with 910 points. The new “Golden Girls” of Bulgaria received the well-deserved award from Minister Kralev.

“I am pleased that more and more young athletes are present in all polls, charts, and awards this year. This shows that there is a very powerful new wave of talented young athletes and I am convinced that we will see them winning such awards even more often in the future.”

The winner of the “The Coach of the Year” Award by “Trud” newspaper was Vessela Ivanova, the coach of the national ensemble of rhythmic gymnastics. The award was presented to her by Minister Krasen Kralev.

All of the successfully voted journalists participated in a lottery to win Nokia 6, provided by the main sponsor of the event – Mtel. David Arabadzhiev, Sales Manager of the telecom company, pronounced the winner’s name – Stefan Georgiev, BNT.

And finally, nothing completes one such event like good music. That’s why Brazz VilliDJ – the most popular brass band in Bulgaria – took care of the good musical mood during the event. Prominent and internationally recognized musicians, they play under the leadership of Vili Stoyanov and Mihail Yosifov. Their partners on the stage were other famous singers such as Polly Genova, Mihaela Fileva, and Kristian Kostov.

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You can see the final vote of every sports journalist who took part in the questionnaire and can also check the given score for the sportsman, team, and athlete with disabilities of the year.

DOWNLOAD IN .XLS

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Ruzhdi Ruzhdev unmatchable among competitors wins the “Athlete with Disabilities” 2016 price

Legendary Bulgarians present the awards at the official ceremony

The annual awards for a sportsperson, team, and athlete with disabilities of 2016, as well as the traditional “Coach of the Year” award by “Trud” newspaper were awarded on the 20^th of December, 2016 in the National Palace of Culture, Sofia. The best athletes of Bulgaria for the past year according to the vote of sports journalists were officially announced at the 59^th ceremony organized by Nove JSC Holding.

The hosts of the event were the fastest white woman on the planet – Ivet Lalova and the legendary captain of the Bulgarian national volleyball team Vlado Nikolov. For the first time, such a ‘constellation’ of legendary Bulgarian stars in the field of sport, art, culture, music, and medicine presented the statues to the winners.

The first place in the category “Sportsperson of the year” 2016 was won by the Olympic and vice-European high-jumping champion Mirela Demireva with overall points of 1,398 collected during the poll. The honorary statuette was presented by Stefka Kostadinova – the four-time winner of the same title, president of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC), Olympic champion and world record holder.

“I am so grateful that people put their trust in me and gave me the freedom to choose my own way. I am grateful for the fact that when I needed help, I always received it. I think I am a proof that when a man is given a chance, he can always achieve his dreams. I have achieved a dream, but I believe that the best is yet to come,” said Mirela regarding the award.

What’s more, the legendary athlete and the World recorder in high-jumping Stefka Kostadinova had a few words to say about Mirela Demireva; “I kind of see myself in her. The day will come when someone will break my high jump record. I hope she would be the person who would improve it.”

Elitsa Yankova won the second place with 1 107 points. The prize was given by the already retired sports minister Mr. Krasen Kralev.

The third place was taken by the snowboarder Rado Yankov with 1,029 points. Rado received his award from the Bulgarian Grammy-nominated violinist Vesko Eshkenazi.

Apart from hosting the event, Ivet Lalova was among the top 5 awarded people. The athlete ranked four with 871 points. She was awarded by the prima ballerina Masha Ilieva.

The fifth place was taken by the Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov who scored 513 points.

The rest of the people in the top 10 were the boxing legend Kubrat Pulev with 503 points, Boyan Petrov – the person who climbed three Himalyan 8,000m peaks, the European female boxing champion Stanimira Petrova with 208 points, the basketball player Alexander Vezenkov with 202 points, and the best Bulgarian female tennis player Tsveti Pironkova who got 178 points from the votes. Their statuettes were given by the legendary painter and artist Svetlin Rysev, the head of the Military medical Academy Gen. Prof. Nikolay Petrov, the physicist Theodosi Teodosiev, and the living legend of rock music in Bulgaria – Dancho Karadzhov.

There was, however, one more athlete – the Paralympic champion Ruzhdi Ruzdhi who won the price “Athlete with disabilities” of 2016. His award was presented by the wrestling legend and present-day general secretary of BOC – Belcho Goranov.

The “Team of the Year” for 2016 prize was won by the golden girls of Bulgaria of the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Ensemble. The girls who won the Bronze medals in Rio received their award by Krasen Kralev.

But this was not the only prize that went to Rhythmic gymnastics category. Thanks to “Trud” newspaper and their 33rd questionnaire awarded the long-time coach of the ensemble Ina Ananieva with the first place in “Coach of the Year” category. She received her award from Mr. Petyo Blaskov, editor-in-chief of “Trud” newspaper.

This year’s Eurofootball was once again part of the ceremony as a General Sponsor of “Sportsperson of the Year”. Ivailo Ivanov – the Judo Champion and the sportsman who ranked 7^th during the Olympics in Rio – won the price “Eurofootball Sports Talent” for 2016. His award was given by Stoyan Nenov – the first Bulgarian Pulitzer winner for photojournalism. The Bulgarian bookmaker also awarded Denislav Kodjabashev with the price “Eurofootball Sports Talent with Disabilities” for 2016. He ranked fifth in table tennis at the Paralympic Games in Rio.

154 sports journalists from 51 digital and print media took part in this year’s survey of Nove JSC Hoding. Traditionally, all of the voted sports journalists had a chance to win Huawei P9 lite, provided by Mtel – partner of “Sportsperson of the Year”. Mr. David Arabadzhiev, sales manager of the telecom company, drew the name of the lucky person – Irina Ruseva who works at Darik Radio.

The music at the ceremony was entrusted to the super-band The Legends, made up of stars playing and singing in some of the most beloved Bulgarian bands of all time. Names such as Yordan Karadjov from Signal, Konstantin Tsekov from FSB, Mitko Kurnov from D2, Koso Markov and Stanley from Tangra, and Lyubo Kirov performed emblematic Bulgarian songs during the event.

The event was broadcast live on Bulgarian National Television, BNT HD, and Darik Radio. This year, BNT HD also had an exclusive studio programme before and after the ceremony.

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