Prague, Nov 7 (CTK) – Runner Zuzana Hejnova, who won the 400 metre hurdles race at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, received the title of the 2015 Czech Athlete of the Year tonight, followed by runners Jakub Holusa (1500 m) and Pavel Maslak (400 m).
The poll was organised by the Czech Athletic Association and 136 sport officials, journalists and coaches took part in it.
Hejnova won the award for the second time. In 2013 she won also thanks to her victory at the world championships.
This year Hejnova won the Diamond League series in her discipline, 400 m hurdles. In the previous season, her performance was affected by leg and heel injuries.
Three athletes succeeded in winning the title of the Czech Athlete of the Year, established in 1962, seven times: the legendary spot putter Helena Fibingerova and javelin throwers Jan Zelezny and Barbora Spotakova.
Results of the Athlete of the Year poll for 2015:
1. Hejnova (400 m hurdles) 1357 points, 2. Holusa (1500 m) 1063, 3. Maslak (400 m) 934, 4. Spotakova (javelin) 740, 5. Radek Juska (long jump) 731, 6. Vitezslav Vesely (javelin) 565, 7. Jaroslav Baba (high jump) 464, 8. Eliska Klucinova (combined events) 430, 9. Michal Balner (pole vault) 369, 10. Anezka Drahotova (racewalking) 346.
Coach of the year: 1. Dalibor Kupka 101.
Junior athlete of the year: 1. Michaela Hruba (high jump) 78.
