Estonian award
Award
The
Estonian
Athlete of the Year
(
Estonian
:
Eesti Aasta Sportlane
) is an annual award presented by the
Estonian Olympic Committee
(
Eesti Olumpiakomitee
, 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 Salumae
, who has won the award on nine occasions.
List of award winners
[
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]
Cyclist
Erika Salumae
(pictured in 2009) won Athlete of the Year a record nine times between 1983 and 1996
Cyclist
Erika Salumae
has won Athlete of the Year more than any other athlete, male or female, with nine wins between 1983 and 1996. Skier
Kristina ?migun-Vahi
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
Juri Jaanson
, who won the award three times over fifteen years (1990?2004), and among female athletes by Erika Salumae and Kristina ?migun-Vahi, 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
[
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]
Single award (1955?1966; 2020)
[
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]
Chess player
Paul Keres
(pictured in 1969) was awarded Athlete of the Year twice, in 1959 and 1962, following his pre-war win in 1937
Split award (1967?2019; 2021? )
[
edit
]
Weightlifter
Jaan Talts
(pictured in 1972) was a five-time Athlete of the Year winner between 1967 and 1972
Cyclist
Aavo Pikkuus
(pictured in 1977) was named the men's Athlete of the Year five times consecutively from 1974 to 1978
Rower
Juri Jaanson
(pictured in 2015) was voted male Athlete of the Year three times between 1990 and 2004
Cross-country skier
Kristina ?migun-Vahi
(pictured in 2006) was named the women's Athlete of the Year eight times between 1997 and 2010
Fencer
Julia Beljajeva
(pictured in 2013) was selected as the female Athlete of the Year in 2013 and 2017
By number of wins
[
edit
]
The tables below list the individuals who have won Athlete of the Year more than once.
Key
†
|
Indicates awards won before separate male and female categories
|
Athlete of the Year winners (male)
Athlete
|
Sport
|
No.
|
Years won
|
Jaan Talts
|
Weightlifting
|
5
|
1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972
|
Aavo Pikkuus
|
Cycling
|
5
|
1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
|
Andrus Veerpalu
|
Skiing
|
5
|
1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009
|
Erki Nool
|
Decathlon
|
4
|
1996, 1997, 1998, 2000
|
Toomas Leius
†
|
Tennis
|
3
|
1961, 1963, 1965
|
Heino Puuste
|
Javelin throw
|
3
|
1982, 1983, 1986
|
Juri Jaanson
|
Rowing
|
3
|
1990, 1995, 2004
|
Gerd Kanter
|
Discus throw
|
3
|
2007, 2008, 2011
|
Rasmus Magi
|
Hurdling
|
3
|
2014, 2016, 2021
|
Uno Palu
†
|
Decathlon
|
2
|
1956, 1958
|
Paul Keres
†
|
Chess
|
2
|
1959, 1962
|
Jaak Uudmae
|
Triple jump
|
2
|
1979, 1980
|
Jaan Ehlvest
|
Chess
|
2
|
1987, 1989
|
Andrus Varnik
|
Javelin throw
|
2
|
2003, 2005
|
Nikolai Novosjolov
|
Fencing
|
2
|
2010, 2013
|
Magnus Kirt
|
Javelin throw
|
2
|
2018, 2019
|
Ott Tanak
|
Rallying
|
2
|
2017, 2020
[a]
[b]
|
Athlete of the Year winners (female)
Athlete
|
Sport
|
No.
|
Years won
|
Erika Salumae
|
Cycling
|
9
|
1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996
|
Kristina ?migun-Vahi
|
Skiing
|
8
|
1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010
|
Laine Erik
|
Middle-distance running
|
2
|
1967, 1968
|
Reet Palm
|
Rowing
|
2
|
1978, 1979
|
Inna Rose
|
Shooting
|
2
|
1981, 1982
|
Kaija Parve-Helinurm
|
Biathlon
|
2
|
1985, 1986
|
Triin Aljand
|
Swimming
|
2
|
2011, 2012
|
Ksenija Balta
|
Long jump
|
2
|
2009, 2016
|
Julia Beljajeva
|
Fencing
|
2
|
2013, 2017
|
Kelly Sildaru
|
Freestyle skiing
|
2
|
2019, 2022
|
See also
[
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]
Notes
[
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]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Laane, Tiit (14 February 2011).
"Parimate sportlaste ajastu avas massumeelne Elmar Rahn"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
27 December
2020
.
- ^
"HAALETA | Algas "Aasta sportlane 2020" rahvahaaletus"
.
EER Sport
(in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhaaling. 1 December 2020
. Retrieved
26 December
2020
.
- ^
Kalvet, Madis (27 December 2017).
"Eesti spordiaasta valimistel on seni koige rohkem laineid loonud Salumae ja ?migun-Vahi"
.
Delfisport
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
13 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
c
"Varasemad aastad"
[Early years].
Aasta Sportlane
(in Estonian).
Eesti Olumpiakomitee
. Retrieved
9 November
2020
.
- ^
Roosna, Mart (30 December 2014).
"Mart Roosna | Aasta sportlaste valik ? margiline nii heas kui ka mitte nii heas mottes"
.
Ohtuleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
15 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
"Spordiaasta Tahtede eel: mis uhendab Andrus Veerpalu, Jaan Taltsi ja Aavo Pikkuusi?"
.
Postimees
(in Estonian). 26 December 2016
. Retrieved
17 November
2020
.
- ^
"Suri olumpiamangude hobemedalist Hanno Selg"
.
Delfisport
(in Estonian). 2 October 2019
. Retrieved
16 November
2020
.
- ^
a
b
c
Jurine, Jaan (27 August 2011).
"Toomas Leius 70: Tennisist kuulus maailma esikolmekumnesse"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
14 November
2020
– via
National Library of Estonia
.
- ^
a
b
Maarja Varv, ed. (3 January 2021).
"Aasta sportlase tiitli palvisid Ott Tanak ja Martin Jarveoja"
.
EER Sport
(in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhaaling
. Retrieved
16 January
2021
.
- ^
Laulik, Juri (23 November 2017).
"Spordiaasta 1967 oli Eestile vaga hea aasta"
.
Delfi Lood
(in Estonian). Ekspress Meedia
. Retrieved
13 November
2020
.
- ^
"Spordikroonika"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). 13 January 1988. p. 8
. Retrieved
25 December
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
Peegel, Lembit (22 December 2012).
"Esimesest parimast sportlasest sai punapartisan"
.
Laupaevaleht LP
(in Estonian). No. 12. p. 32
. Retrieved
5 December
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
"Kumme aastat uut Eestit, 1992"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). 12 July 2001. Archived from
the original
on 30 November 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
"Valiti '93. a. parimad sportlased"
.
Vaba Eestlane
(in Estonian). 14 January 1994. p. 6.
ISSN
0837-0672
. Retrieved
24 November
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
"Eesli 1994.a. parimad sportlased"
.
Vaba Eestlane
(in Estonian). 10 January 1995. p. 6.
ISSN
0837-0672
. Retrieved
4 December
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
Kalve, Mati (28 December 1995).
"Eesti 1995. a. parimad sportlased on Erika Salumae ja Juri Jaanson"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). p. 5
. Retrieved
23 November
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
"Parimad on Erika Salumae ja Erki Nool"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). 22 December 1996.
Archived
from the original on 27 April 2021
. Retrieved
18 November
2020
.
- ^
"Nool ja Shmigun ? 1997.a parimad"
.
Vaba Eestlane
(in Estonian). 30 December 1997. p. 6.
ISSN
0837-0672
. Retrieved
15 November
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
"Aasta parimad sportlased"
.
Opetajate Leht
(in Estonian). 31 December 1998. p. 4.
ISSN
1406-6319
. Retrieved
13 November
2020
– via National Library of Estonia.
- ^
Martinson, Jaan; Pahv, Peep; Press, Gunnar; Vaher, Andres (28 December 2000).
"Erki Nool: "Teadsin, et tiitel kuulub mulle!"
"
.
Ohtuleht
(in Estonian).
Archived
from the original on 10 November 2020
. Retrieved
11 November
2020
.
- ^
"Eesti aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja Rohi"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). 21 December 2001.
Archived
from the original on 11 November 2020
. Retrieved
11 November
2020
.
- ^
"Aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja ?migun"
.
Delfisport
(in Estonian). Baltic News Service. 28 December 2002.
Archived
from the original on 22 October 2015
. Retrieved
8 November
2020
.
- ^
"Aasta sportlased on Varnik ja ?migun"
.
Delfisport
(in Estonian). 28 December 2003.
Archived
from the original on 20 September 2015
. Retrieved
9 November
2020
.
- ^
"Olumpia-aasta sportlased on Kristina ?migun ja Juri Jaanson"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian). 30 December 2004.
Archived
from the original on 10 November 2020
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"Aasta parimad sportlased on Maarika Vosu ja Andrus Varnik"
.
Postimees
(in Estonian). 29 December 2005.
Archived
from the original on 10 November 2020
. Retrieved
10 November
2020
.
- ^
"Parimateks sportlasteks valiti Veerpalu ja ?migun"
.
Postimees
(in Estonian). 26 December 2006.
Archived
from the original on 13 November 2020
. Retrieved
9 November
2020
.
- ^
Pau, Aivar (26 December 2007).
"Aasta sportlased on Irina Embrich ja Gerd Kanter"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian).
Archived
from the original on 13 November 2020
. Retrieved
8 November
2020
.
- ^
Simson, Kai (26 December 2008).
"Aasta sportlased on Kaia Kanepi ja Gerd Kanter"
.
Maaleht
(in Estonian).
Archived
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. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
Kalvik, Andres (26 December 2009).
"Balta ja Veerpalu valiti Eesti aasta sportlasteks"
.
Postimees
(in Estonian).
Archived
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Adorf, Margit (27 December 2010).
"Aasta sportlased on Kristina ?migun-Vahi ja Nikolai Novosjolov"
.
Eesti Paevaleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Simson, Kai (28 December 2011).
"Aasta sportlased on Triin Aljand ja Gerd Kanter"
.
Maaleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
30 October
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.
- ^
Siim Boikov, ed. (27 December 2012).
"Aasta sportlased on Heiki Nabi ja Triin Aljand"
.
ERR Sport
(in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhaaling
. Retrieved
30 October
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.
- ^
Silver Kuusik, ed. (28 December 2013).
"Selgusid aasta parimad sportlased"
(in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhaaling
. Retrieved
30 October
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.
- ^
Koort, Kaspar (27 December 2014).
"Eesti aasta parimateks sportlasteks valiti Rasmus Magi ja Erika Kirpu"
.
Ohtuleht
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
30 October
2020
.
- ^
"Parimad sportlased on Mart Seim ja Epp Mae"
.
Koit
(in Estonian). ERR. 29 December 2015. p. 5
. Retrieved
8 November
2020
.
via the National Library of Estonia
- ^
"Balta and Magi scoop the top Estonian award"
. European Athletics Association. 6 January 2017
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Kaasik, Siim (27 December 2017).
"Mida utlesid spordiaasta parimad oma tanukonedes?"
.
Postimees
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Roosna, Mart (4 September 2018).
"Magnus Kirdi ja Saskia Alusalu uhine abiline: neil kahel on uks suur sarnasus"
.
Delfisport
(in Estonian)
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Andrew Whyte, ed. (20 December 2019).
"Magnus Kirt and Kelly Sildaru voted sportspeople of the year"
.
EER News
. Eesti Rahvusringhaaling
. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
Andrew Whyte, ed. (30 December 2021).
"Gallery: Women's epee team dominate Sports Stars of the Year awards gala"
.
EER News
. Eesti Rahvusringhaaling
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
"Estonian Athletes of the Year 2022 revealed"
.
www.eok.ee
.
EOK
. 3 January 2023
. Retrieved
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2023
.
External links
[
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