This year’s most outstanding Slovenian athletes were honoured at the prestigious Sportsman of the Year Awards, held at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. Hosted by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Slovenia, the event recognized the exceptional achievements of Slovenia’s top sports stars across multiple disciplines. With inspiring performances and groundbreaking milestones, the winners have once again placed Slovenia on the global sports map.
Top Individual Honors
The coveted Athlete of the Year titles went to two exceptional individuals:
- Janja Garnbret, the sport climbing sensation, was lauded for her near-unbeatable performances on the climbing wall. Dominating her discipline with grace and determination, Garnbret continues to set new standards in sport climbing.
- Tadej Pogačar, cycling’s prodigy, claimed the award for his extraordinary season, which included a world championship title and victories in the iconic Tours of France and Italy. Pogačar’s tenacity and skill have solidified his place among cycling’s elite.
Team of the Year
In a closely contested vote, the Slovenian Men’s Football Team was named Team of the Year. Their historic performance at the European Championship, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time, earned them this well-deserved accolade. They narrowly edged out the Men’s Handball Team, which achieved a commendable fourth-place finish at the Olympic Games.
Special Recognitions
The Sports Journalists’ Association of Slovenia also highlighted emerging talents and inspirational achievements:
- Žiga Lin Hočevar, a promising young athlete in kayaking and canoeing, received the award for Most Promising Young Athlete. His dedication and talent signal a bright future in water sports.
- Franček Gorazd Tiršek, a remarkable sharpshooter, was named Best Para Athlete of the Year. Tiršek’s accomplishments continue to inspire and uplift the para-sports community.
Voting Highlights
In the men’s category, cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar secured 313 points from the panel of 108 journalists, outpacing basketball icon Luka Dončić (127 points) and kitesurfing silver medalist Toni Vodišek (71 points). Among the women, Janja Garnbret topped the list with 305 points, followed by judoka Andreja Leški (208 points) and ski jumper Nika Prevc (108 points).
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their extraordinary achievements. Their hard work, talent, and determination have elevated Slovenia’s standing as a proud and competitive sports nation.
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Tadej Pogačar, cycling’s prodigy, claimed the award for his extraordinary season. Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
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Slovenian Men’s Football Team was named Team of the Year for their historic performance at the European Championship. Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
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Franček Gorazd Tiršek, a remarkable sharpshooter, was named Best Para Athlete of the Year. Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
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Žiga Lin Hočevar is a promising young athlete in kayaking and canoeing. Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
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Janja Garnbret, the sport climbing sensation, was lauded for her near-unbeatable performances on the climbing wall. Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Date: 11. December 2024
Time to read: 2 min
