Montenegrin taekwondo athlete Andrea Berišaj is one of the three best young European athletes and brings the prestigious "Piotr Nurovski" award to Montenegro for the first time, awarded by the European Olympic Committee (EOC).
The best athletes were chosen by representatives of national Olympic committees during the 55th EOC General Assembly in Budapest.
Berishaj was among six finalists from across Europe, along with representatives from Romania, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia.
"This award represents one of the most significant successes of Montenegrin sports on the international scene and a confirmation of the quality of work with young athletes in Montenegro. In competition with 21 candidates from European National Olympic Committees, Andrea went from the narrowest selection to the title itself. Previous winners of the award have won a total of 42 Olympic and 151 medals at world championships, which speaks of the importance of this award in the European Olympic movement," the statement reads.
The Assembly was attended by President Dušan Simonović and Deputy Secretary General Maja Peković, representing the Montenegrin Olympic Committee.
"With her work, perseverance and character, Andrea has shown what it means to be a young Montenegrin athlete who has the knowledge and strength for the biggest sports scenes. This recognition is also confirmation that Montenegro is building its path in European sports with measure, knowledge and dedication," said Simonović.
He emphasized that they are proud of Berisha, not only because of the awards she has won, but also because she represents Montenegro and Montenegrin sports in the best way.
"Today, she is an inspiration to every girl and boy in Montenegro who dream big dreams, and I am sure that she has a career and sports awards ahead of her that we will all look forward to," Simonović pointed out.
Berishaj said that it was a huge honor, not only for her, but for everyone who was with me on this journey.
"This award comes a few months after I was named the best female athlete of Montenegro in 2025, and I am proud that my great work and sacrifice have been recognized. This award is not just mine. It equally belongs to my coach, my family, my club and everyone who believed in me even when it was difficult," said Berišaj.
She emphasized that this award is a great motivation for her, as well as all the girls from the club and the Montenegrin national team, to continue training even harder and with more dedication.
"The award comes during the preparation period and on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and I couldn't imagine a better incentive," said Berishaj.
According to her coach Vlado Stanišić, Berišaj is an athlete you rarely meet – talented, but above all, hardworking and persistent.
"Behind this recognition are years of daily work, sacrifice and faith in the set goal. What makes me most happy is that she is a modest and focused young girl, despite everything she has achieved. This is just confirmation that she is on the right path, and the best is yet to come," said Stanišić.
Berishaj has recently confirmed her status as one of the most promising European taekwondo athletes.
This year, in May, she won a bronze medal at the European Senior Championships in Munich.
In 2025, she won three bronze medals at major international competitions: at the European Senior Championships in Olympic categories in Aigle, Switzerland, at the World U21 Championships in Kenya, and at the European U21 Championships in Pristina, all in the 67 kg category.
Based on these results, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee declared her the best athlete of Montenegro for 2025.
The "Piotr Nurowski" Award, named after the former president of the Polish Olympic Committee and prominent sportsman, was established in 2011 and is awarded to the most promising young athletes in Europe.
The aim of the award is to recognize young athletes who, in addition to their results, stand out for their character, dedication, sportsmanship and the values that represent the Olympic movement.
The two-day Assembly in Budapest brought together representatives of European National Olympic Committees around key topics of the Olympic Movement, including preparations for the IV European Games in Istanbul in 2027, a review of the Milan Winter Olympics
Cortina 2026, as well as reports from the EOC commissions and partners from the International Olympic Committee and ANOK.
During the Assembly, the EOC Executive Board supported the candidacy of EOC President Spyros Kapralos for President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
The elections will be held at the ANOK General Assembly in December in Hong Kong.
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