Romanian swimmer David Popovici named Balkan Athlete of the Year 2025 (BTA)
Romanian swimmer David Popovici, double Singapore world champion in the 100m and 200m freestyle, was named on Monday Balkan Athlete of the Year 2025 in the annual poll organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
Popovici earned 70 points and secured the distinction for the second time, after first winning it in 2022. Serbian basketball star Nikola Jokic placed second, while Bulgarian weightlifter Karlos Nasar finished third and received BTA's special award for a Bulgarian athlete.
Although unable to attend the ceremony, Popovici sent a recorded message to the organizers. 'It is a great honor to receive this award as part of the 52nd edition of the Balkan Athlete of the Year. To be part of this moment, which also marks 128 years of tradition of BTA makes this award even more special to me,' he said. 'I want to thank the organizers. I want especially to congratulate all of the other nominated athletes, and I want to thank my team. I want to thank those who supported me and who have always supported me. This award belongs to each and every one of us,' the winner concluded.
The traditional poll included votes from the national news agencies of the region: the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) of Bulgaria, Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency (ANA-MPA) of Greece, AGERPRES of Romania, Anadolu Agency of Turkiye, Tanjug of Serbia, MINA of Montenegro, Mia of the Republic of North Macedonia, HINA of Croatia, FENA of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus News Agency (CNA) of Cyprus, Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) of Albania, and KosovaPress of Kosovo. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - editing by: Simona Klodnischi)
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