Špotáková is Czech Athlete of the Year

Barbora Špotáková, the women’s World Javelin champion for this year, has been selected in a survey of the Czech Athletic Federation as the Czech Athlete of the Year, and was presented with the award on stage at Gala evening (10).

Athletic specialists and sport journalists preferred javelin thrower Špotáková to Roman Šebrle, World record holder and Olympic Champion in decathlon, although Šebrle also won the World title this summer. Šebrle placed second, while third spot was taken by pole vaulter Kateøina Baïurová, the surprising silver medallist in Osaka.

Barbora Špotáková beat European record holder Christine Obergföll and another German, European champion Steffi Nerius in Osaka. She also set the Czech record twice in the Osaka Final, and improved once more at the World Athletic Final in Stuttgart.

In Japan Roman Šebrle completed his tremendous collection of the titles, the World crown was the last big gold he was missing. Kateøina Baïurová made a lifetime result by winning behind Yelena Isinbayeva. She set also the national record in Osaka – 4.75m.

Rudolf Èerný, Špotáková’s coach, was awarded as a Coach of the Year. Jakub Holuša, European Junior Champion at 3000m steeplechase, is the Junior of the Year. Kateøina Cachová, the World Youth champion in Heptathlon in Ostrava, won the “breakthrough” category.

Results of the Czech Athletes of the Year:
Barbora Špotáková Javelin Throw 1187 points
Roman Šebrle Decathlon 1141
Kateøina Baïurová  Pole Vault 992
Nikola Brejchová Javelin Throw 761
Tomáš Jankù High Jump 737
Denisa Šèerbová Long Jump, Heptathlon 456
Jaroslav Bába High Jump 347
Zuzana Hejnová 400m Hurdles 252
Anna Pichrtová Mountain Running 249
Vìra Cechlová Discus Throw 196

Coach: Rudolf Èerný
Junior: Jakub Holuša
Break-through: Kateøina Cachová