The President of the Jelgava City Council, Andris Rāviņš, addressed the athletes, their coaches and fans. “The year is coming to an end and it is the right time to summarize what has been. This year important world sporting events took place, which proved that Latvia can do it and Jelgava can do it too. And these events have united not only the sports family, but the whole society. Thank you for bringing the name of the city and Latvia to the world, and do not forget that the most important thing is the Olympic principle: participating and fighting for victory, giving everything for this struggle,” said A. Rāviņš.
Vice President of the Jelgava City Council Rita Vectirāne thanked the athletes, who this year pleased the citizens of Jelgava and convinced them of their abilities. “That’s why I want to wish you: on the days when it seems difficult, believe in yourself and that you are on the right path to achieving your sports results.”
According to Juris Kaminskis, director of the Jelgava municipal institution “Sport servis centrs”, in 2023 the athletes of our city won 114 gold medals in the Latvian championship in youth, junior and adult groups, 39 places awarded in the Baltic championship, 25 awarded places in international competitions, two medals in the European Youth Winter at the Olympic Festival, seven awarded places at the European Championship and six awarded places at the World Championship/World Cup.
In total, 15 athletes, eight coaches, one sports team, one sports organization were congratulated for their achievements in sports in 2023, as well as the city’s sports teacher of the year and awarded an award for contribution to sport. The prizes will be awarded in 13 nominations: “Sportswoman of the Year in Olympic Sports”, “Sportswoman of the Year in Olympic Sports”, “Sportswoman/Sportswoman of the Year in Non-Olympic Sports”, “Coach of the Year”, “For investments in sport”, “Sports Team of the Year”, “Sports Teacher of the Year”, “Most Potential Sportsperson of the Year”, “Most Potential Sportsperson of the Year”, “Sportsman/Sportsman of the Year in Veteran Sports “, “Sports Organization of the Year”, “For High Achievements in Sports” and “Jelgava Sports Service Center Special Award”. Applications are evaluated and winners are determined by the Sports Commission of the Jelgava State City Municipality.
The post will be integrated with a photo gallery of the event.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR IN OLYMPIC SPORTS
Melanie Chaman – This year the canoeist from the Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School became world champion in the junior women’s 500 meter double pair and European vice champion in the junior women’s 500 meter double pair. She also competed at the European Games, where she took 10th place in the 500m doubles and 8th place in the 200m mixed doubles in the adult competition. Multiple Latvian junior champion.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR IN OLYMPIC SPORTS
Reinis Bērziņš – The short track player of the skating club “SK Zemgale” won 3rd place at the European Championships at the distance of 500 meters, as well as 3rd place in two stages of the World Cup at the distance of 1500 meters – in Dresden, Germany, and Montreal, Canada.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Juris Lauris – Kayaking coach of Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School. Coach Kārlis Dumpis’ students, Kristiāns Lauris, Katrīna Smiltniece and Melanija Čamane competed excellently at the World, European and Latvian levels this year.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR IN NEOLYMPIC SPORTS
Kristaps Blumanis – The representative of the outdoor wrestling club “Legacy Jelgava” won 1st place with the right hand and 2nd place with the left hand in the weight category up to 75 kilograms in both the European U-23 and World Championships U-23. Furthermore he took 2nd place with his left hand and 5th place with his right hand in the adult world championship in the weight category up to 75 kilograms.
FOR INVESTMENTS IN SPORT
Liene Brichka – “The physiotherapist of the sports service center plays an essential role in the care of Jelgava athletes of various levels, in the prevention of injuries and injuries, in the treatment of injuries, as well as in helping them return to sports after an injury. He takes care of the teams Jelgava athletes and individual athletes Liene is well informed about the latest research and methods in physiotherapy and continues to improve her qualifications and skills through courses, seminars and other professional development opportunities.
SPORTS GAMING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Hockey team “Zemgale/LBTU” – “Zemgale/LBTU” team of the “Zemgale” hockey club 2022/2023. he defended the title of Latvian champion in the season and also became Baltic champion. The team has been participating in the Continental Cup for two seasons already.
SPORTS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
While Gurkle – The sports teacher of the Jelgava Centra primary school is the head of the “Health and physical activity” study area in her school. Responsive and accommodating to both students and colleagues. She participates in various sporting events in the city and together with students has been participating in the Latvian Olympic Committee project “Sport for all classes” for several years. As the school grew into a primary school, the teacher found ways to motivate and involve young people in sporting activities both during lessons and in extracurricular activities.
THE MOST PROMISING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Linards Reinis Laizans – The short track athlete of the Jelgava Ice Sports School won two prize places in the short track at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival: 1st place in the 500 meter distance and 2nd place in the 1000 meter distance.
THE MOST PROSPECTIVE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Ruta Škirus – The swimmer from the Jelgava Specialized Swimming School won 1st place in the Latvian Adult Championship in the 50 meter breaststroke and in the Latvian U-19 Championship in the 4×50 meter complex relay. On the other hand, at the Latvian youth and junior championships, Rūta won five gold medals: 50, 100 and 200 meter breaststroke, 4×100 meter freestyle relay and 4×100 meter complex relay.
VETERAN SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Andrei Duda – The swimmer of the club “Mitau swim” took 1st place at the old masters world championships in the 50 meter butterfly and 2nd place in the 50 meter freestyle in the age group 40-44 years. Andrejs also broke the competition and world record in the 50 meter butterfly, completing the distance in 24.11 seconds.
JELGAVA SPECIAL AWARD “SPORTA SERVISA CENTRA”.
Artis Abols – The hockey team “Zemgale/LBTU” under the leadership of coach Artas Ābola defended the title of Latvian champions and also started this season well, being at the top of the table.
SPORTS ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
JFC “Jelgava” – The association works specifically on the development and popularization of amateur football in Jelgava. This year, the association team became champions of the Western Football League and vice-champions of the 3rd Latvian Football League, gaining the right to compete in the 2nd League. It organizes summer and winter open football championships in Jelgava, supports and participates in events organized by the “Sports Service Center” and also offers activities for residents and guests of the city. You actively attract supporters, do targeted work with fans and are active in the social media space.
FOR HIGH RESULTS IN SPORT
Athletes
Katrina Smilt, niece – The kayaker from the Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School took 8th place at the U-23 World Championships in the 5000m single and 12th place at the European U-23 Championships in the 200m single. He also became a two-time Latvian champion in the 200 and 500 meters fours.
Karl Dumpis – The kayaker from the Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School took 11th place in the world championship in the 500 meters four-man event. At the European Games he placed 8th in both the 500 meter fours and the 200 meter medley doubles. He is also a multiple Latvian champion in the adult and U-23 groups.
Vladislav Krasovskis – The representative of the outdoor wrestling club “Legacy Jelgava” won 1st place with the right hand and 3rd place with the left hand at the European Championship in the Open group in the weight category up to 80 kilograms.
Kārlis Žuriņš – won 3rd place in the European Jet Ski Championship in the SKI GP2 class.
Cristiano Lauri – A canoeist from Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School won 7th place in the MIX 5000 meter single relay at the U-23 world championship. He is also a two-time champion of Latvia in the junior group.
Nils Kravalis – The triathlete of the “TriRunPro” association won 3rd place in the Junior Triathlon European Cup in the MIX relay.
Kirill Korkach – The figure skater of the Jelgava Ice Sports School won 10th place at the European Winter Youth Olympic Festival in figure skating and 3rd place at the competition of the International Skating Union “Budapest Trophy” in the junior group.
Una Ulmann – The representative of the Jelgava Squash Club won 3rd place in the ranking tournament of the European Squash Federation “Latvian Junior Open” in the U-19 age group, and also became the Baltic squash champion in the age group – 19.
Anastasia Isaeva – A judoka from the Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School won 5th place in the European Judo Cup for cadets in the weight category up to 70 kilograms.
Coaches
Martin Marnauza – triathlon coach of the “TriRunPro” association. His student Nils Kravalis won 3rd place in the MIX relay of the Junior Triathlon European Cup.
Jelena Vysotska – Coach of the Jelgava Specialized Swimming School. Her student Rūta Šķirus achieved success in the Latvian championship in both youth, junior, U-19 and adult categories and was successful in both individual distances and relay.
Baiba Lulle – Coach of the Jelgava Squash Club. His student Una Ulmane won 3rd place in the classification tournament of the European Squash Federation “Latvian Junior Open” in the U-19 age group, and also became the Baltic squash champion in the age range -19.
Guntis Malējs – Judo coach of the Jelgava Children’s and Youth Sports School. Her student Anastasia Isayeva won 5th place in the European Judo Cup for cadets in the weight category up to 70 kilograms.
Andrei Brovenko – Figure skating coach at Jelgava Ice Sports School. His student Kirill Korkacs won 10th place at the European Winter Youth Olympic Festival in figure skating and 3rd place at the competition of the International Skating Union “Budapest Trophy” in the junior group.
Avoid Krievane – Short track coach at Jelgava Ice Sports School. His students Linards Reinis Laizāns and Reinis Bērziņš have won prize places in European and world competitions.
2023-12-28 19:00:21
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