Weightlifters Cristina Iovu and Anatol Ciricu were designated as athletes of the year by the Sports Press Association. They surpassed athlete Zalina Marghiev, Info-Prim Neo reports. Among the top ten sportspersons are Ion Luchianov (athletics), Dan Olaru (target shooting), Sergiu Toma (judo), Vasile Belous (boxing), Nicolae Ceban (freestyle wrestling), Alexandru Dudoglo (weightlifting), and Svetlana Saenko (women’s wrestling). Iovu and Ciricu are also the favorites for wining the title “Sportspersons of the Year in Moldova”, which is conferred by the Ministry of Youth and Sport. In 2012, they won bronzes at the London Olympics and became European champions among seniors. The duo Sergiu Cretu and Maxim Cojocari (weightlifting) were named the best coaches of the year. They are followed by Ivan and Alexandru Bratan (weightlifting), and Soslan Marghiev (athletics). The sports club Femina became the best team with 55 points scored. In the rankings compiled by the Sports Press Association, it outstripped the football teams Sheriff Tiraspol and Milsami Orhei. The rankings were produced with the assistance of over 70 members of the Sports Press Association. The award ceremony will take place on January 25, 2013.