Achieving outstanding sports performances requires significant hard work and sacrifice, with top athletes receiving medals in recognition of their achievements, teams enjoying a moment of satisfaction for meeting their goals and all of us enjoying the victories in our sport. An additional way to honor and celebrate the best athletes is through special awards.
In this sense, the European Weightlifting Federation, in 2022, implemented an Award for the Best European Weightlifter. Shortly after, a collaboration was established with the International Sports Press Association Europe (AIPS Europe). This cooperation led to the creation of the prestigious EWF – AIPS EUROPE WEIGHTLIFTER OF THE YEAR award. A clear and transparent procedure that respects the principles of sport and fair play, managed by professionals from the continental sports press.
The nominees for 2024 are as follows:
WOMEN
1. Emily Jade CAMPBELL (GBR, 1994)
2. Solfrid Eila Amena KOANDA (NOR, 1998)
3. Mihaela Valentina CAMBEI (ROU, 2002)
4. Aleksandra GRIGORYAN (ARM, 2005)
5. Eyglo Fanndal STURLUDOTTIR (ISL, 2001)
6. Marie Josephe FEGUE (FRA, 1991)
7. Kamila KONOTOP (UKR, 2001)
8. Cansu BEKTHAS (TUR, 2003)
9. Weronika Zielinska STUBINSKA (POL, 1997)
10. Marta Garcia RINCON (ESP, 2003)
MEN
1. Karlos May NASAR (BUL, 2004)
2. Marin ROBU (MDA, 2000)
3. Yauheni TSIKHANTSOU (AIN, 1998)
4. Varazdat LALAYAN (ARM, 1999)
5. Dadash DADASHBAYLI (AZE, 1996)
6. Yusuf Fehmi GENC (TUR, 2002)
7. Lasha TALAKHADZE (GEO, 1993)
8. Marcos Ruiz VELASCO (ESP, 1996)
9. Roberto GUTU (GER, 2000)
10. Oscar Reyes MARTINEZ (ITA, 1996)
AIPS Europe will make the final decision regarding the 2024 best athletes, with winners in both women’s and men’s categories receiving their awards during the ceremonial big Opening of the European Championships, on April 12, 2025, in Chisinau (MDA).
The winners of previous editions of the prestigious award were:
- 2021: Loredana TOMA (ROU) and Lasha TALAKHADZE (GEO)
- 2022: Solfrid Eila Amena KOANDA (NOR) and Lasha TALAKHADZE (GEO)
- 2023: Mihaela-Valentina CAMBEI (ROU) and Lasha TALAKHADZE (GEO)
We are looking forward to the announcement of the winners for 2024! With the goal of also recognizing the top young weightlifters, the EWF – AIPS EUROPE RISING STAR award was created this year.
Nominees for 2024 are:
WOMEN
1. Nicoleta COJOCARU (MDA, 2009)
2. Lucia Gonzalez BORREGO (ESP, 2007)
3. Aleksandra GRIGORYAN (ARM, 2005)
4. Minni Maria Alexandra HORMAVIRTA (FIN, 2008)
5. Tenishia THORNTON (MLT, 2005)
MEN
1. Tiberiu Ionut DONOSE (ROU, 2005)
2. Serhii KOTELEVSKYI (UKR, 2008)
3. Irakli VEKUA (GEO, 2007)
4. Ramazan Efe YILMAZ (TUR, 2008)
5. Szymon ZIOLKOWSKI (POL, 2004)
The winners of this category will also be announced on April 12, 2025, in Chisinau, during the opening Ceremony.
We believe that these initiatives will make an important contribution to the growth of weightlifting and motivate current and future generations of European weightlifters to become successful in the sport.
Congratulations to all the nominees!