Andrea Berišaj Crowned Best Athlete at Montenegro Olympic Awards

The Montenegro Olympic Committee (COK) has officially named Andrea Berišaj as the best athlete of the year during its 17th annual award ceremony, celebrating the achievements of athletes and teams across various sports. This year’s event marked a significant expansion, as taekwondo was added to the list of recognized disciplines, alongside judo, handball, water polo, karate, boxing, athletics, and sailing.

Berišaj, who has dedicated 13 years to taekwondo, was awarded for her remarkable accomplishments, including winning a bronze medal at the European Championship. Her journey in taekwondo goes beyond mere competition; she describes the sport as her life, captivated by its dynamic techniques and the thrill of combat. The athlete views her European medal as a stepping stone toward her ultimate dream: competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

At the award ceremony, Dušan Simonović, the president of COK, presented Berišaj with her trophy, acknowledging her exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. “The board faced a challenging task this year, evaluating numerous top athletes,” Simonović stated, highlighting the rigorous selection process against 15 outstanding competitors.

In addition to Berišaj, handball player Martina Knežević earned the title of best young athlete after leading her team to a bronze medal at the European Championship for cadets in Podgorica, where she was also named the tournament’s best player. Other young athletes recognized included Strahinja Gojković, who was celebrated for his role in securing gold for the national water polo team at the European Junior Championship, and boxer Matija Roganović, who recently claimed a gold medal in Germany.

The men’s national water polo team was named the best men’s team, while the women’s handball team received the same honor. The water polo team, known as the “Sharks,” showcased their talent by finishing sixth at the World Championship, while the women’s handball team, the “Lions,” placed eighth in both the European and World Championships.

Simonović emphasized the need for recognition of exceptional athletes in non-Olympic sports, noting the achievements of individuals like Lidija Čaković in jiu-jitsu and Milivoj Dukić in sailing. He remarked, “This year, we also acknowledged the accomplishments of athletes like Saška Đurović in volleyball, Tee Nikčević in tennis, and Nina Dragović in gymnastics, which collectively affirm the quality of Montenegrin sports.”

The award ceremony not only celebrated individual and team successes but also highlighted the ongoing development and competitiveness of Montenegrin athletes on the global stage. With Berišaj’s aspirations for the Olympics and the growing recognition of a diverse range of sports, the future looks promising for Montenegro’s sporting landscape.