Moldova 2023 Sports Awards: A year of record-breaking achievements
Moldova's top athletes were honoured at the annual Sports Awards ceremony, held at the Chișinău Arena on Friday.
Wrestler Anastasia Nichita and canoeist Serghei Tarnovschi were named the top athletes of the year. Nichita, who won the European Championship and a silver medal at the World Championships in wrestling, was awarded the "Golden Cup" for her outstanding achievements. Tarnovschi, who won a bronze medal at the World Championships and the same medal at the European Games, was awarded the "Silver Cup."
"I am proud and happy to receive this award," said Nichita. "It was a very difficult year, full of challenges, failures, and sacrifices. But it was all worth it for this beautiful cup."
"This is the first time I have received a trophy from the president of the country," said Tarnovschi. "It motivates me even more for next year."
Judoka Oleg Crețul was named the top paralympic athlete. Crețul won a gold medal at the 2023 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
President Maia Sandu presented the awards to the winners.
"Dear athletes, you have achieved remarkable results this year," said Sandu. "I congratulate you on behalf of all the citizens of Moldova. You have our respect and gratitude. You have our appreciation."
Other top Olympic athletes of the year included wrestlers Irina Rîngaci and Mariana Drăguțan, weightlifters Marin Robu, Elena Erighin, and Tudor Bratu, and judoka Denis Vieru.
"It was a pretty good year," said Vieru. "We are stable athletes."
Wrestler Alexandrin Guțu and canoeist Elena Glizan were named "breakthrough athletes of the year." Guțu won a silver medal at the 2023 European Wrestling Championships, while Glizan won a bronze medal at the 2023 European Canoe Sprint Championships.
The Moldova national football team was named team of the year after coming close to qualifying for the European Championship for the first time. The team finished third in its qualifying group, just one point behind the second-place team, Scotland.
"I am proud of the boys," said national team coach Serghei Cleșcenco. "They showed courage and demonstrated that they can play football. They had fantastic matches. I hope that next year we will have more responsibility and take another step forward."
The Sports Awards, organised by the Ministry of Education and Research, also honoured sports veterans, paralympic athletes, and the public television station Moldova 1.
"2023 was a very good year, with a record number of medals," said Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun. "Many young people with outstanding results, who are an inspiration to us all."
The Sports Awards were held for the first time at the Chișinău Arena.
The 2023 Moldova Sports Awards were a celebration of the country's top athletes and their remarkable achievements. The awards were a testament to the hard work and dedication of these athletes, who have brought honour to Moldova on the world stage.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
