Basketballer Vezenkov Becomes Bulgaria's Sportsperson of the Year for Second Time

Dimitrina Solakova

A moment from the special ceremony for Sportsperson of 2023, Sofia, Jan. 4, 2024 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

04.01.2024 20:34

(BTA)

Basketball player Aleksander Vezenkov won the Sportsperson of the Year award in the 66th edition of the traditional poll of sports journalists. Vezenkov's 1,009 points brought him the award for a second time.

Vezenkov, who plays for Sacramento Kings in NBA, won the most votes from the fans as well.

The Bulgarian Association of Sports Journalists announced the top 10 rankings at a special event in Sofia on Thursday. A total of 107 journalists representing 43 online and print media cast their votes, and 69 active Bulgarian sportspersons won points in the poll.

Bulgaria's top tennis player, Grigor Dimitrov, came second with 711 points. The third place was for swimmer Petar Mitsin with 684 points.

The other athletes in the top 10 are, respectively: alpine skier Albert Popov (587 points), weight lifter Karlos Nasar (572 points), chess player Nirgyul Salimova (459 points), rhythmic gymnast Boryana Kaleyn (301 points), fencer Yoana Ilieva (269 points), rhythmic gymnast Stiliana Nikolova (138 points), and volleyball player Aleksandar Nikolov (129 points).

In the teams rankings, first place went to the women's chess team with 940 points.

In the Sportsperson with Disabilities category, first place went to athlete Hristiyan Stoyanov with 430 points.

In the Coach of the Year poll, organized by the Trud daily for the 40th time, the award went to Nikolay Vakareev, personal trainer of swimmer Petar Mitsin, with 115 points. A total of 37 media cast their votes and named 18 specialists in their poll cards.

/RY/