Estonian Athlete of the Year explained

Athlete of the Year
(Aasta Sportlane)
Presenter:Estonian Olympic Committee
Country:Estonia
Year:1931[1]
Website:https://aastasportlane.eok.ee/
Most Wins:Erika Salumäe (9)

The Estonian Athlete of the Year (Estonian: Eesti Aasta Sportlane) is an annual award presented by the Estonian Olympic Committee (Eesti Olümpiakomitee, EOK) to one male and one female sportsperson judged to have delivered the best performance over the course of the year. The winners of the award, which was first conceived in the 1930s and has been presented every year since 1955, are chosen by an aggregated vote from sporting journalists, national sporting federations, and the public at large.

Initially an accolade presented to one individual, the award was split into male and female categories beginning in 1967. In 2020 the two categories were merged due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the international and national sporting calendars.[2] The athlete with the most wins is cyclist Erika Salumäe, who has won the award on nine occasions.

List of award winners

Cyclist Erika Salumäe has won Athlete of the Year more than any other athlete, male or female, with nine wins between 1983 and 1996. Skier Kristina Šmigun-Vähi is the second-most decorated winner, having been chosen as Female Athlete of the Year on eight occasions. Of male athletes, the most successful are weightlifter Jaan Talts, cyclist Aavo Pikkuus, and skier Andrus Veerpalu, each with five wins.[3] Pikkuus holds the record for the most consecutive awards won, achieving his five successively between 1974 and 1978.[4]

The youngest ever Athlete of the Year recipient is swimmer Kaire Indrikson who won in 1977 at the age of sixteen, while Aavo Pikkuus is the youngest male winner on record, achieving the first of his five wins in 1974 at the age of twenty.[4] With a combined age of 39 years at the time of the 1977 awards, Indrikson and Pikkuus additionally constitute the youngest pair of winners from a single year.[5] Chess player Paul Keres is the oldest person to be recognised as Athlete of the Year, winning his third award in 1962 at the age of 46. The oldest woman to win is fencer Heidi Rohi, who in 2001 was awarded Athlete of the Year at the age of 35.[4] Keres also holds the record for the longest span of time over his awards, his third in 1962 coming 26 years after his first award in 1937. In awards presented solely after the Second World War, this distinction is held among male athletes by rower Jüri Jaanson, who won the award three times over fifteen years (1990–2004), and among female athletes by Erika Salumäe and Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, who each won their awards over fourteen-year periods (1983–1996 and 1997–2010 respectively).[6]

Three members of the same family have each won Athlete of the Year: Ulvi Voog-Indrikson in 1957, her daughter Kaire Indrikson in 1977, and her granddaughter Triin Aljand in 2011 and 2012.[6]

By year

Single award (1955–1966; 2020)

YearAthlete of the YearRef.
Athlete Sport
1955 Shot put
1956 Decathlon
1957 Swimming
1958 Uno Palu (2)Decathlon
1959 Chess
1960 Modern pentathlon[7]
1961 Tennis[8]
1962 Paul Keres (2)Chess
1963 Toomas Leius (2)Tennis
1964 Speed skating
1965 Toomas Leius (3)Tennis
1966 Middle-distance running
From 1967–2019 the award was split into male and female categories (see below)
2020 [9]

Split award (1967–2019; 2021–)

YearMaleFemaleRef.
Athlete Sport Athlete Sport
1967 Jaan TaltsWeightliftingLaine ErikMiddle-distance running[10]
1968 Jaan Talts (2)WeightliftingLaine Erik (2)Middle-distance running
1969 Jaan Talts (3)WeightliftingSvetlana TširkovaFencing
1970 Jaan Talts (4)WeightliftingTiiu ParmasTennis
1971 Vambola HelmMotorcycle racingLuule TullMotorcycle racing
1972 Jaan Talts (5)WeightliftingRaissa RuusMiddle-distance running
1973 Ain VildeIce yachtingIlla RaudikUnderwater orienteering
1974 Aavo PikkuusCyclingEndla VellendArchery
1975 Aavo Pikkuus (2)CyclingVirve HoltsmeierArchery
1976Aavo Pikkuus (3)CyclingLiivi ErmShooting
1977Aavo Pikkuus (4)CyclingKaire IndriksonSwimming
1978Aavo Pikkuus (5)CyclingReet PalmRowing
1979Jaak UudmäeTriple jumpReet Palm (2)Rowing
1980Jaak Uudmäe (2)Triple jumpMarina TrofimovaSwimming
1981Jüri PoljansSprint canoeingInna RoseShooting
1982Heino PuusteJavelin throwInna Rose (2)Shooting
1983Heino Puuste (2)Javelin throwErika SalumäeCycling
1984Tiit HaagmaIce yachtingErika Salumäe (2)Cycling
1985Riho SuunCyclingKaija Parve-HelinurmBiathlon
1986Heino Puuste (3)Javelin throwKaija Parve-Helinurm (2)Biathlon
1987Jaan EhlvestChessErika Salumäe (3)Cycling[11]
1988Allar LevandiNordic combinedErika Salumäe (4)Cycling
1989Jaan Ehlvest (2)ChessErika Salumäe (5)Cycling
1990Jüri JaansonRowingErika Salumäe (6)Cycling
1991Tiit SokkBasketballKristiina NurkFinswimming[12]
1992Kaido KaabermaFencingErika Salumäe (7)Cycling[13]
1993Indrek SeiSwimmingOksana JermakovaFencing[14]
1994Ago MarkvardtNordic combinedMargrit ToomanModern pentathlon[15]
1995Jüri Jaanson (2)RowingErika Salumäe (8)Cycling[16]
1996Erki NoolDecathlonErika Salumäe (9)Cycling[17]
1997Erki Nool (2)DecathlonKristina ŠmigunSkiing[18]
1998Erki Nool (3)DecathlonJane SalumäeLong-distance running[19]
1999Andrus VeerpaluSkiingKristina Šmigun (2)Skiing
2000Erki Nool (4)DecathlonKristina Šmigun (3)Skiing[20]
2001Andrus Veerpalu (2)SkiingHeidi RohiFencing[21]
2002Andrus Veerpalu (3)SkiingKristina Šmigun (4)Skiing[22]
2003Andrus VärnikJavelin throwKristina Šmigun (5)Skiing[23]
2004Jüri Jaanson (3)RowingKristina Šmigun (6)Skiing[24]
2005Andrus Värnik (2)Javelin throwMaarika VõsuFencing[25]
2006Andrus Veerpalu (4)SkiingKristina Šmigun (7)Skiing[26]
2007Gerd KanterDiscus throwIrina EmbrichFencing[27]
2008Gerd Kanter (2)Discus throwKaia KanepiTennis[28]
2009Andrus Veerpalu (5)SkiingKsenija BaltaLong jump[29]
2010Nikolai NovosjolovFencingKristina Šmigun-Vähi (8)Skiing[30]
2011Gerd Kanter (3)Discus throwTriin AljandSwimming[31]
2012Heiki NabiWrestlingTriin Aljand (2)Swimming[32]
2013Nikolai Novosjolov (2)FencingJulia BeljajevaFencing[33]
2014Rasmus MägiHurdlingErika KirpuFencing[34]
2015Mart SeimWeightliftingEpp MäeWrestling[35]
2016Rasmus Mägi (2)HurdlingKsenija Balta (2)Long jump[36]
2017Ott TänakRallyingJulia Beljajeva (2)Fencing[37]
2018Magnus KirtJavelin throwSaskia AlusaluSpeed skating[38]
2019Magnus Kirt (2)Javelin throwKelly SildaruFreestyle skiing[39]
2021Rasmus Mägi (3)HurdlingKatrina LehisFencing[40]
2022Janek ÕiglaneDecathlonKelly Sildaru (2)Freestyle skiing[41]

By number of wins

The tables below list the individuals who have won Athlete of the Year more than once.

Key
width=20px align=center style="background-color:lightgray"†Indicates awards won before separate male and female categories
Athlete of the Year winners (male)
width=150pxAthlete !width=100pxSport !Years won
5 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972
5 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
5 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009
4 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000
bgcolor=lightgrayToomas Leius† bgcolor=lightgray3 bgcolor=lightgray1961, 1963, 1965
3 1982, 1983, 1986
3 1990, 1995, 2004
3 2007, 2008, 2011
3 2014, 2016, 2021
bgcolor=lightgrayUno Palu† bgcolor=lightgray2 bgcolor=lightgray1956, 1958
bgcolor=lightgrayPaul Keres† bgcolor=lightgray2 bgcolor=lightgray1959, 1962
2 1979, 1980
2 1987, 1989
2 2003, 2005
2 2010, 2013
2 2018, 2019
2 2017, 2020
Athlete of the Year winners (female)
width=150pxAthlete !width=100pxSport !Years won
9 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996
8 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010
2 1967, 1968
2 1978, 1979
2 1981, 1982
2 1985, 1986
2 2011, 2012
2 2009, 2016
2 2013, 2017
2 2019, 2022

See also

References

General

Specific

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parimate sportlaste ajastu avas mässumeelne Elmar Rähn. et. Eesti Päevaleht. Tiit. Lääne. 14 February 2011. 27 December 2020.
  2. Web site: HÄÄLETA Algas "Aasta sportlane 2020" rahvahääletus. et. EER Sport. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 1 December 2020. 26 December 2020.
  3. Web site: Eesti spordiaasta valimistel on seni kõige rohkem laineid löönud Salumäe ja Šmigun-Vähi. et. Delfisport. Madis. Kalvet. 27 December 2017. 13 November 2020.
  4. Web site: Varasemad aastad. et. Early years. Aasta Sportlane. Eesti Olümpiakomitee. 9 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Märt Roosna Aasta sportlaste valik – märgiline nii heas kui ka mitte nii heas mõttes. et. Õhtuleht. Märt. Roosna. 30 December 2014. 15 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Spordiaasta Tähtede eel: mis ühendab Andrus Veerpalu, Jaan Taltsi ja Aavo Pikkuusi?. et. Postimees. 26 December 2016. 17 November 2020.
  7. Web site: Suri olümpiamängude hõbemedalist Hanno Selg. et. Delfisport. 2 October 2019. 16 November 2020.
  8. News: Toomas Leius 70: Tennisist kuulus maailma esikolmekümnesse. et. Eesti Päevaleht. Jaan. Jürine. 27 August 2011. 14 November 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  9. Web site: Aasta sportlase tiitli pälvisid Ott Tänak ja Martin Järveoja. et. EER Sport. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Maarja Värv. 3 January 2021. 16 January 2021.
  10. Web site: Spordiaasta 1967 oli Eestile väga hea aasta. et. Delfi Lood. Ekspress Meedia. Jüri. Laulik. 23 November 2017. 13 November 2020.
  11. News: Spordikroonika. et. Eesti Päevaleht. 8. 13 January 1988. 25 December 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  12. News: Esimesest parimast sportlasest sai punapartisan. et. Laupäevaleht LP. 12. 32. Lembit. Peegel. 22 December 2012. 5 December 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  13. Web site: Kümme aastat uut Eestit, 1992. et. Eesti Päevaleht. 12 July 2001. 28 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130202948/https://epl.delfi.ee/eesti/kumme-aastat-uut-eestit-1992?id=50806165. 30 November 2020.
  14. News: Valiti ’93. a. parimad sportlased. et. Vaba Eestlane. 0837-0672. 6. 14 January 1994. 24 November 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  15. News: Eesli 1994.a. parimad sportlased. et. Vaba Eestlane. 0837-0672. 6. 10 January 1995. 4 December 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  16. News: Eesti 1995. a. parimad sportlased on Erika Salumäe ja Jüri Jaanson. et. Eesti Päevaleht. Mati. Kalve. 5. 28 December 1995. 23 November 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  17. Web site: Parimad on Erika Salumäe ja Erki Nool. et. Eesti Päevaleht. 22 December 1996. 18 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210427162116/https://epl.delfi.ee/artikkel/50734402/parimad-on-erika-salumae-ja-erki-nool?url=%2Farchive%2Farticle.php. 27 April 2021. live.
  18. News: Nool ja Shmigun – 1997.a parimad. et. Vaba Eestlane. 0837-0672. 6. 30 December 1997. 15 November 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  19. News: Aasta parimad sportlased. et. Õpetajate Leht. 1406-6319. 4. 31 December 1998. 13 November 2020. National Library of Estonia.
  20. Web site: Erki Nool: "Teadsin, et tiitel kuulub mulle!". et. Õhtuleht. Jaan. Martinson. Peep. Pahv. Gunnar. Press. Andres. Vaher. 28 December 2000. 11 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110113007if_/https://sport.ohtuleht.ee/100566/erki-nool-8220teadsin-et-tiitel-kuulub-mulle8221. 10 November 2020. live.
  21. Web site: Eesti aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja Rohi. et. Eesti Päevaleht. 21 December 2001. 11 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111094749/https://epl.delfi.ee/eesti/b-eesti-aasta-sportlased-on-veerpalu-ja-rohi-b?id=50905144. 11 November 2020. live.
  22. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja Šmigun. et. Delfisport. Baltic News Service. 28 December 2002. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20151022130434/https://sport.delfi.ee/archive/aasta-sportlased-on-veerpalu-ja-smigun?id=4880641. 22 October 2015. live.
  23. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Värnik ja Šmigun. et. Delfisport. 28 December 2003. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20150920174016/http://sport.delfi.ee/archive/aasta-sportlased-on-varnik-ja-smigun?id=6922979. 20 September 2015. live.
  24. Web site: Olümpia-aasta sportlased on Kristina Šmigun ja Jüri Jaanson. et. Eesti Päevaleht. 30 December 2004. 10 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110102749/https://epl.delfi.ee/sport/olumpia-aasta-sportlased-on-kristina-352-migun-ja-juri-jaanson?id=51000486. 10 November 2020. live.
  25. Web site: Aasta parimad sportlased on Maarika Võsu ja Andrus Värnik. et. Postimees. 29 December 2005. 10 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110102928/https://www.postimees.ee/1518087/aasta-parimad-sportlased-on-maarika-vosu-ja-andrus-varnik. 10 November 2020. live.
  26. Web site: Parimateks sportlasteks valiti Veerpalu ja Šmigun. et. Postimees. 26 December 2006. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113164744/https://sport.postimees.ee/1613107/parimateks-sportlasteks-valiti-veerpalu-ja-migun. 13 November 2020. live.
  27. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Irina Embrich ja Gerd Kanter. et. Eesti Päevaleht. Aivar. Pau. 26 December 2007. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113183720/https://epl.delfi.ee/sport/aasta-sportlased-on-irina-embrich-ja-gerd-kanter?id=51113551. 13 November 2020. live.
  28. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Kaia Kanepi ja Gerd Kanter. et. Maaleht. Kai. Simson. 26 December 2008. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114192133/https://maaleht.delfi.ee/tasubteada/aasta-sportlased-on-kaia-kanepi-ja-gerd-kanter?id=23963823. 14 November 2020. live.
  29. Web site: Balta ja Veerpalu valiti Eesti aasta sportlasteks. et. Postimees. Andres. Kalvik. 26 December 2009. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808095141/https://sport.postimees.ee/204950/balta-ja-veerpalu-valiti-eesti-aasta-sportlasteks. 8 August 2020. live.
  30. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Kristina Šmigun-Vähi ja Nikolai Novosjolov. et. Eesti Päevaleht. Margit. Adorf. 27 December 2010. 30 October 2020.
  31. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Triin Aljand ja Gerd Kanter. et. Maaleht. Kai. Simson. 28 December 2011. 30 October 2020.
  32. Web site: Aasta sportlased on Heiki Nabi ja Triin Aljand. et. ERR Sport. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Siim Boikov. 27 December 2012. 30 October 2020.
  33. Web site: Selgusid aasta parimad sportlased. et. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Silver Kuusik. 28 December 2013. 30 October 2020.
  34. Web site: Eesti aasta parimateks sportlasteks valiti Rasmus Mägi ja Erika Kirpu. et. Õhtuleht. Kaspar. Koort. 27 December 2014. 30 October 2020.
  35. News: Parimad sportlased on Mart Seim ja Epp Mäe. et. Koit. ERR. 5. 29 December 2015. 8 November 2020. via the National Library of Estonia
  36. Web site: Balta and Mägi scoop the top Estonian award. European Athletics Association. 6 January 2017. 14 November 2020.
  37. Web site: Mida ütlesid spordiaasta parimad oma tänukõnedes?. et. Postimees. Siim. Kaasik. 27 December 2017. 14 November 2020.
  38. Web site: Magnus Kirdi ja Saskia Alusalu ühine abiline: neil kahel on üks suur sarnasus. et. Delfisport. Märt. Roosna. 4 September 2018. 29 October 2020.
  39. Web site: Magnus Kirt and Kelly Sildaru voted sportspeople of the year. EER News. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Andrew Whyte. 20 December 2019. 29 October 2020.
  40. Web site: Gallery: Women's épée team dominate Sports Stars of the Year awards gala. EER News. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Andrew Whyte. 30 December 2021. 10 January 2022.
  41. Web site: Estonian Athletes of the Year 2022 revealed. www.eok.ee. EOK. 3 January 2023. 24 January 2023.

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