Alexander Vezenkov is the "Sportsman of Bulgaria" for 2023, reported a BGNES reporter. The Sacramento Kings basketball player collected the most points in the sports journalists' poll and won the #1 award for the second time in a row. He stole the fan vote as well. The first Bulgarian in the NBA and head of the federation, Georgi Glushkov, received the statuettes on his behalf.
"This is a great recognition, which makes me work even harder to live up to people's expectations. I thank my family, who are always by my side. It has been a unique year for me - with many successes and titles. Congratulations to all the athletes who made it into the top ten. May the new year be very successful for Bulgarian sports," said the basketball player in a video message.
Vezenkov posted the best 12 months of his career. The Bulgarian national won the title in Greece with Olympiakos, played in the EuroLeague final and was selected as the tournament MVP, averaging 17.6 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 65.8 percent from 2-point range and 39.8 percent from long range.
In the summer, Alexander Vezenkov took the biggest step in his competitive career to date, suiting up for the NBA team - Sacramento Kings. He signed a three-year contract for $20 million.
Second was the two-time winner of the prize - Grigor Dimitrov, and third was the world record holder in the 400 m freestyle among juniors, Petar Mitsin.
The ceremony didn't go without a hitch. Nurgyul Salimova, who finished second at the World Cup and won the team European title, left the stage immediately after being awarded for her sixth position in the rankings. Her only words were, "Thank you, for many years," then she hurried away with a grim expression.
She still had to return to the stage together with Victoria Radeva. The two accepted the #1 team award. Their teammates - Gergana Peycheva, Antoaneta Stefanova and Beloslava Krasteva - were absent as they are preparing abroad. The second time, Nurgul was significantly more talkative.
1. Alexander Vezenkov (basketball)
2. Grigor Dimitrov (tennis)
4. Albert Popov (ski-alpine disciplines)
5. Carlos Nassar (Weightlifting)
6. Nurgyul Salimova (chess)
7. Boryana Kalein (artistic gymnastics)
8. Ioana Ilieva (fencing)
9. Stiliyana Nikolova (artistic gymnastics)
10. Alexander Nikolov (volleyball)
The prize for "Athlete with disabilities" went to Hristiyan Stoyanov (athletics). The competitor did not attend the ceremony because he is in a training camp ahead of the Paralympic Games in Paris later this year. In 2023, Hristiyan won for the second time the world title in the 1500 m for people with disabilities. /BGNES
