After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Czech Athletic Federation announced on Saturday (6) its best athletes of the year at the Czech Athletics Gala.
As expected, Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch topped the poll and thus became the first male athlete to be crowned Czech Athlete of the Year since former world decathlon record-holder Roman Sebrle in 2006.
Vadlejch’s legendary coach Jan Zelezny was also recognised as the Coach of the Year for a record sixth time. With seven Athlete of the Year accolades as well, Zelezny is the far most awarded personality of the voting with 13 trophies.
Vadlejch topped the poll ahead of fellow javelin thrower and Olympic bronze medallist Vitezslav Vesely with European indoor shot put champion Tomas Stanek third in the overall voting, just ahead of Kristiina Maki in fourth.
Maki made an excellent comeback from maternity leave, reaching the Olympic 1500m final and breaking the long-standing Czech record with 4:01.23 only seven months after giving birth to her son Kaapo.
World U20 decathlon champion Frantisek Doubek was named Young Athlete of the Year while fellow world U20 champion Jan Doležálek was awarded with the Breakthrough of the Year title following his exploits in the hammer.
Once again, the Czech Athletics Gala which took place in Prague’s Ambassador Hotel was televised on Czech television.
Czech Athlete of the Year voting
1. Jakub Vadlejch 1609 points
2. Vitezslav Vesely 1444
3. Tomas Stanek 1120
4. Kristiina Maki 1116
5. Nikola Ogrodnikova 714
6. Lada Vondrova 703
7. Barbora Spotakova 594
8. Diana Mezulianikova 365
9. Barbora Malikova 246
10. Amalie Svabikova 243