Ion Luchianov and Zalina Marghieva, 2011 Moldovan athletes of the year (© Serghei Donets)
Hammer thrower Zalina Marghieva and 3000m Steeplechase specialist Ion Luchianov were named the Athletes of the Year at the annual meeting of the Moldovan Athletics Federation on Thursday (15).
Both athletes finished eighth in their respective events at the World Championship in Daegu while Marghieva added several other laurels to her athletics CV. She took the title at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China, with a new national record (72.93m) and the bronze at the European Cup Winter Throwing in Sofia in March. Moreover, Marghieva also finished fifth in this year's IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge.
Marghieva and Luchianov were both previously honoured a number of times. This year's was the third in a row for Marghieva, and the fifth straight for Luchianov, while the latter has now been named the country's top male athlete seven times.
Soslan Marghiev was named the best coach. As the father and coach of Zalina and her sister Marina, he is also the mentor of the youngest of the Marghiev siblings, Serghei, who won silver at European U23 Championship in Tallinn this year, also in the Hammer Throw.
Serghei Donets for the IAAF
