Estonian Athlete of the Year

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.

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

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 (pictured in 2009) won Athlete of the Year a record nine times between 1983 and 1996

Cyclist Erika Salumäe has won Athlete of the Year more than any other athlete, male or female, with nine wins between 1983 and 1996. Skiier 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 skiier 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]

Single award (1955–1966; 2020)

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

Year	Athlete of the Year		Ref.
	Athlete	Sport
1955	Feliks Pirts	Shot put
1956	Uno Palu	Decathlon
1957	Ulvi Voog-Indrikson	Swimming
1958	Uno Palu (2)	Decathlon
1959	Paul Keres	Chess
1960	Hanno Selg	Modern pentathlon	[7]
1961	Toomas Leius	Tennis	[8]
1962	Paul Keres (2)	Chess
1963	Toomas Leius (2)	Tennis	[8]
1964	Ants Antson	Speed skating
1965	Toomas Leius (3)	Tennis	[8]
1966	Mart Vilt	Middle-distance running
From 1967–2019 the award was split into male and female categories (see below)
2020	Ott Tänak (2) and Martin Järveoja	Rallying	[9]

Split award (1967–2019; 2021– )

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 Jüri Jaanson (pictured in 2015) was voted male Athlete of the Year three times between 1990 and 2004

Cross-country skier Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (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

Year	Male		Female		Ref.
	Athlete	Sport	Athlete	Sport
1967	Jaan Talts	Weightlifting	Laine Erik	Middle-distance running	[10]
1968	Jaan Talts (2)	Weightlifting	Laine Erik (2)	Middle-distance running
1969	Jaan Talts (3)	Weightlifting	Svetlana Tširkova	Fencing
1970	Jaan Talts (4)	Weightlifting	Tiiu Parmas	Tennis
1971	Vambola Helm	Motorcycle racing	Luule Tull	Motorcycle racing
1972	Jaan Talts (5)	Weightlifting	Raissa Ruus	Middle-distance running
1973	Ain Vilde	Ice yachting	Illa Raudik	Underwater orienteering
1974	Aavo Pikkuus	Cycling	Endla Vellend	Archery
1975	Aavo Pikkuus (2)	Cycling	Virve Holtsmeier	Archery
1976	Aavo Pikkuus (3)	Cycling	Liivi Erm	Shooting
1977	Aavo Pikkuus (4)	Cycling	Kaire Indrikson	Swimming
1978	Aavo Pikkuus (5)	Cycling	Reet Palm	Rowing
1979	Jaak Uudmäe	Triple jump	Reet Palm (2)	Rowing
1980	Jaak Uudmäe (2)	Triple jump	Marina Trofimova	Swimming
1981	Jüri Poljans	Sprint canoeing	Inna Rose	Shooting
1982	Heino Puuste	Javelin throw	Inna Rose (2)	Shooting
1983	Heino Puuste (2)	Javelin throw	Erika Salumäe	Cycling
1984	Tiit Haagma	Ice yachting	Erika Salumäe (2)	Cycling
1985	Riho Suun	Cycling	Kaija Parve-Helinurm	Biathlon
1986	Heino Puuste (3)	Javelin throw	Kaija Parve-Helinurm (2)	Biathlon
1987	Jaan Ehlvest	Chess	Erika Salumäe (3)	Cycling	[11]
1988	Allar Levandi	Nordic combined	Erika Salumäe (4)	Cycling
1989	Jaan Ehlvest (2)	Chess	Erika Salumäe (5)	Cycling
1990	Jüri Jaanson	Rowing	Erika Salumäe (6)	Cycling
1991	Tiit Sokk	Basketball	Kristiina Nurk	Finswimming	[12]
1992	Kaido Kaaberma	Fencing	Erika Salumäe (7)	Cycling	[13]
1993	Indrek Sei	Swimming	Oksana Jermakova	Fencing	[14]
1994	Ago Markvardt	Nordic combined	Margrit Tooman	Modern pentathlon	[15]
1995	Jüri Jaanson (2)	Rowing	Erika Salumäe (8)	Cycling	[16]
1996	Erki Nool	Decathlon	Erika Salumäe (9)	Cycling	[17]
1997	Erki Nool (2)	Decathlon	Kristina Šmigun	Skiing	[18]
1998	Erki Nool (3)	Decathlon	Jane Salumäe	Long-distance running	[19]
1999	Andrus Veerpalu	Skiing	Kristina Šmigun (2)	Skiing
2000	Erki Nool (4)	Decathlon	Kristina Šmigun (3)	Skiing	[20]
2001	Andrus Veerpalu (2)	Skiing	Heidi Rohi	Fencing	[21]
2002	Andrus Veerpalu (3)	Skiing	Kristina Šmigun (4)	Skiing	[22]
2003	Andrus Värnik	Javelin throw	Kristina Šmigun (5)	Skiing	[23]
2004	Jüri Jaanson (3)	Rowing	Kristina Šmigun (6)	Skiing	[24]
2005	Andrus Värnik (2)	Javelin throw	Maarika Võsu	Fencing	[25]
2006	Andrus Veerpalu (4)	Skiing	Kristina Šmigun (7)	Skiing	[26]
2007	Gerd Kanter	Discus throw	Irina Embrich	Fencing	[27]
2008	Gerd Kanter (2)	Discus throw	Kaia Kanepi	Tennis	[28]
2009	Andrus Veerpalu (5)	Skiing	Ksenija Balta	Long jump	[29]
2010	Nikolai Novosjolov	Fencing	Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (8)	Skiing	[30]
2011	Gerd Kanter (3)	Discus throw	Triin Aljand	Swimming	[31]
2012	Heiki Nabi	Wrestling	Triin Aljand (2)	Swimming	[32]
2013	Nikolai Novosjolov (2)	Fencing	Julia Beljajeva	Fencing	[33]
2014	Rasmus Mägi	Hurdling	Erika Kirpu	Fencing	[34]
2015	Mart Seim	Weightlifting	Epp Mäe	Wrestling	[35]
2016	Rasmus Mägi (2)	Hurdling	Ksenija Balta (2)	Long jump	[36]
2017	Ott Tänak	Rallying	Julia Beljajeva (2)	Fencing	[37]
2018	Magnus Kirt	Javelin throw	Saskia Alusalu	Speed skating	[38]
2019	Magnus Kirt (2)	Javelin throw	Kelly Sildaru	Freestyle skiing	[39]

By number of wins

The tables below list the individuals who have won Athlete Name 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
Jüri Jaanson	Rowing	3	1990, 1995, 2004
Gerd Kanter	Discus throw	3	2007, 2008, 2011
Uno Palu†	Decathlon	2	1956, 1958
Paul Keres†	Chess	2	1959, 1962
Jaak Uudmäe	Triple jump	2	1979, 1980
Jaan Ehlvest	Chess	2	1987, 1989
Andrus Värnik	Javelin throw	2	2003, 2005
Nikolai Novosjolov	Fencing	2	2010, 2013
Rasmus Mägi	Hurdling	2	2014, 2016
Magnus Kirt	Javelin throw	2	2018, 2019

Athlete of the Year winners (female)

Athlete	Sport	No.	Years won
Erika Salumäe	Cycling	9	1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi	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

See also

• Estonian Young Athlete of the Year
• Estonian Coach of the Year
• Estonian Sports Team of the Year

References

General

• "Eesti Parimateks Valitud Mees- Ja Naissportlased, Võistkonnad Ja Treenerid 1955 – 2009" [Male and Female Athletes, Teams and Coaches Selected as the Best in Estonia 1955–2009]. Eesti Olümpiakomitee (in Estonian). 27 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2020.

Specific

1. Lääne, Tiit (14 February 2011). "Parimate sportlaste ajastu avas mässumeelne Elmar Rähn". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 27 December 2020.
2. "HÄÄLETA | Algas "Aasta sportlane 2020" rahvahääletus". EER Sport (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
3. Kalvet, Madis (27 December 2017). "Eesti spordiaasta valimistel on seni kõige rohkem laineid löönud Salumäe ja Šmigun-Vähi". Delfisport (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 November 2020.
4. "Varasemad aastad" [Early years]. Aasta Sportlane (in Estonian). Eesti Olümpiakomitee. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
5. Roosna, Märt (30 December 2014). "Märt Roosna | Aasta sportlaste valik – märgiline nii heas kui ka mitte nii heas mõttes". Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 15 November 2020.
6. "Spordiaasta Tähtede eel: mis ühendab Andrus Veerpalu, Jaan Taltsi ja Aavo Pikkuusi?". Postimees (in Estonian). 26 December 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
7. "Suri olümpiamängude hõbemedalist Hanno Selg". Delfisport (in Estonian). 2 October 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
8. Jürine, Jaan (27 August 2011). "Toomas Leius 70: Tennisist kuulus maailma esikolmekümnesse". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 14 November 2020 – via National Library of Estonia.
9. Maarja Värv, ed. (3 January 2021). "Aasta sportlase tiitli pälvisid Ott Tänak ja Martin Järveoja". EER Sport (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
10. Laulik, Jüri (23 November 2017). "Spordiaasta 1967 oli Eestile väga hea aasta". Delfi Lood (in Estonian). Ekspress Meedia. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
11. "Spordikroonika". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 13 January 1988. p. 8. Retrieved 25 December 2020 – via National Library of Estonia.
12. Peegel, Lembit (22 December 2012). "Esimesest parimast sportlasest sai punapartisan". Laupäevaleht LP (in Estonian) (12). p. 32. Retrieved 5 December 2020 – via National Library of Estonia.
13. "Kümme aastat uut Eestit, 1992". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 12 July 2001. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
14. "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.
15. "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.
16. Kalve, Mati (28 December 1995). "Eesti 1995. a. parimad sportlased on Erika Salumäe ja Jüri Jaanson". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). p. 5. Retrieved 23 November 2020 – via National Library of Estonia.
17. "Parimad on Erika Salumäe ja Erki Nool". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 22 December 1996. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
18. "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.
19. "Aasta parimad sportlased". Õpetajate Leht (in Estonian). 31 December 1998. p. 4. ISSN 1406-6319. Retrieved 13 November 2020 – via National Library of Estonia.
20. Martinson, Jaan; Pahv, Peep; Press, Gunnar; Vaher, Andres (28 December 2000). "Erki Nool: "Teadsin, et tiitel kuulub mulle!"". Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
21. "Eesti aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja Rohi". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 21 December 2001. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
22. "Aasta sportlased on Veerpalu ja Šmigun". Delfisport (in Estonian). Baltic News Service. 28 December 2002. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
23. "Aasta sportlased on Värnik ja Šmigun". Delfisport (in Estonian). 28 December 2003. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
24. "Olümpia-aasta sportlased on Kristina Šmigun ja Jüri Jaanson". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 30 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
25. "Aasta parimad sportlased on Maarika Võsu ja Andrus Värnik". Postimees (in Estonian). 29 December 2005. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
26. "Parimateks sportlasteks valiti Veerpalu ja Šmigun". Postimees (in Estonian). 26 December 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
27. Pau, Aivar (26 December 2007). "Aasta sportlased on Irina Embrich ja Gerd Kanter". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
28. Simson, Kai (26 December 2008). "Aasta sportlased on Kaia Kanepi ja Gerd Kanter". Maaleht (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
29. Kalvik, Andres (26 December 2009). "Balta ja Veerpalu valiti Eesti aasta sportlasteks". Postimees (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
30. Adorf, Margit (27 December 2010). "Aasta sportlased on Kristina Šmigun-Vähi ja Nikolai Novosjolov". Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 30 October 2020.
31. Simson, Kai (28 December 2011). "Aasta sportlased on Triin Aljand ja Gerd Kanter". Maaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 30 October 2020.
32. Siim Boikov, ed. (27 December 2012). "Aasta sportlased on Heiki Nabi ja Triin Aljand". ERR Sport (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
33. Silver Kuusik, ed. (28 December 2013). "Selgusid aasta parimad sportlased" (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
34. Koort, Kaspar (27 December 2014). "Eesti aasta parimateks sportlasteks valiti Rasmus Mägi ja Erika Kirpu". Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 30 October 2020.
35. "Parimad sportlased on Mart Seim ja Epp Mäe". Koit (in Estonian). ERR. 29 December 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2020. via the National Library of Estonia
36. "Balta and Mägi scoop the top Estonian award". European Athletics Association. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
37. Kaasik, Siim (27 December 2017). "Mida ütlesid spordiaasta parimad oma tänukõnedes?". Postimees (in Estonian). Retrieved 14 November 2020.
38. Roosna, Märt (4 September 2018). "Magnus Kirdi ja Saskia Alusalu ühine abiline: neil kahel on üks suur sarnasus". Delfisport (in Estonian). Retrieved 29 October 2020.
39. Andrew Whyte, ed. (20 December 2019). "Magnus Kirt and Kelly Sildaru voted sportspeople of the year". EER News. Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Retrieved 29 October 2020.

External links

• Official website (in Estonian)