Ion Lukianov – sportsman of year 2009 according to press

Athlete Ion Lukianov was named the Moldovan sportsman of the year 2009 by the Association of Sports Press of Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. The world champion scored 369 points and outstripped judo player Marcel Trudov, who medaled bronze at the European Championships (356 points) and boxer Victor Cotiujanski, who won silver at the World Cup (318 points). The rankings of the best sportspersons included: Cristina Iovu (weightlifting, 249 points), Natalia Levchenkov (biathlon, 165), Zalina Marghiev (athletics, 157), Alexandr Pliushkin (cycling, 131), Igor Grabucea (weightlifting,120), Eugen Musalimov (kickboxing, 92), Valeriu Duminica (judo, 64). Petru Caduc became the best coach (box, 89 points). He is followed by Leonid Kuchuk (football, Sheriff Tiraspol, 39 points) and Vasile Luca (judo, 32 points). Moldova's champion Sheriff Tiraspol was named the team of the year, scoring 104 points. It surpassed the national youth rugby team, which is European vice champion (84 points), and the national veterans' basketball team, which won silver at the World Champs (25 points). Forty-six sports journalists, who are members of the Association of Sports Press, took part in the selection of the sportspersons of 2009. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 24. On December 22, the Ministry of Youth and Sport will hold the Sports Gala 2009 to award the sportspersons of the year.