Track and field athlete Pronkin won the National Sports Award as athlete of the year

Hammer thrower Valery Pronkin became the winner of the National Sports Award from the Ministry of Sport in the category "Pride of Russia" as the athlete of the year. The award ceremony started on November 20 in Moscow.

In addition to silver medalist of the 2017 World Championships Pronkin, the 2014 Olympic champion in relay short track speed skater Semyon Elistratov and Gagarin Cup winner goalkeeper Ilya Nabokov claimed the award.

In 2023, boxer Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, silver medalist of the Tokyo Olympics, was recognized as the athlete of the year in the above nomination.

High jump coach Elena Popkova became the Coach of the Year. The nominees also included Gana Maximova, head coach of the Russian national synchronized swimming team, and Evgeny Plekhov, head coach of the Russian men's ski jumping team.

Last year, Vera Shtelbaums, honored coach of the USSR and Russia in rhythmic gymnastics, won the nomination.

Pronkin is 30 years old. He is also a winner of the Russian Athletics Championships and the BRICS Games in Kazan. Popkova coaches Maria Kochanova; under her guidance, the athlete won individual and team championships in track and field in Russia and also won gold at the BRICS Games in Kazan.