Weightlifters were voted as Athlete of the Year in Georgia
Lasha Talakhadze was voted as Athlete of the Year in Georgia by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Talakhadze, the Gold medal winner and the World record holder of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, was the frontrunner and a clear favorite to win this award.
Last year’s winner, wrestler Vladimer Khinchagashvili was second.
The award ceremony was held in Hotels & Preference Hualing Hotel, which hosted the IWF Congress during the 2016 IWF Junior World Championships.
Head coach of the Georgian weightlifting National Team, Giorgi Asanidze was voted as the Coach of the Year. Asanidze is the multiple winner of the Athlete of the Year Award, during his career.
Talakhadze: “This means a lot for me. 2016 was the best period of my career, but that does not mean anything. I have to keep working with the same passion as before and I hope to be in a great shape, come 2017. This would not be possible without assistance from my coaches, without love from my friends and of course, my family. This is dedicated to all of you. Let the peace prevail in your life.” Talakhadze was also voted as a Sportsman of the Year in the Channel 1 (National Broadcaster) annual poll. The giant just keeps working and winning.
Anastasia Hotfrid was voted as a Female Athlete of the Year. That was the best season of her young and promising career. She took silver medal at the Junior World Championships and the sky is the limit.
Congratulations to all the outstanding awarded athletes!
