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Belgian Sportsman of the Year

Title granted to a male Belgian athlete


Summary

Title granted to a male Belgian athlete

The Belgian Sportsman of the Year (; ; ) is elected at the end of each year by professional sportjournalists and former winners, annually since 1967. A Belgian Sportswoman of the Year title has been given out since 1975. Top winners include Ingrid Berghmans (8 wins), Kim Clijsters (8) and Eddy Merckx (6).

More categories were added in 1997, with the Belgian Sportsteam of the Year, 1998 with the Belgian Talent of the Year, 2010 with the Belgian Paralympic Athlete of the Year and lastly in 2011 the Belgian Coach of the Year.

The youngest male winner of the Belgian sportsman of the year is Remco Evenepoel who won the award at the age of 19. The youngest female winner is Carine Verbauwen, who won the award at the age of 13.

List of winners

YearMenWomenTeamPromising TalentParalympicCoachWinnerSportWinnerSportWinnerSportWinnerSportWinnerSportWinnerSport
2025Remco Evenepoel (5)cyclingEmma Meesseman (2)basketballBelgium women's national basketball team (3)basketballRoos VanotterdijkswimmingLéa BayekulaathleticsVincent Kompanyfootball
2024Remco Evenepoel (4)cyclingNafissatou Thiam (5)athleticsThierry Neuville and Martijn WydaeghemotorsportJarno WidarcyclingMaxime Carabin (2)athleticsSven Vanthourenhoutcycling
2023Remco Evenepoel (3)cyclingLotte KopeckycyclingBelgium women's national basketball team (2)basketballAlec SegaertcyclingMaxime CarabinathleticsRachid Mezianebasketball
2022Remco Evenepoel (2)cyclingNafissatou Thiam (4)athleticsMen's 4×400 metres relay (4)athleticsCian UijtdebroekscyclingMichèle George (2)equestrianRoger Lespagnard (3)athletics
2021Wout van Aert (2)cyclingNina Derwael (3)gymnasticsBelgium national field hockey team (5)field hockeyThibau NyscyclingPeter Genyn (3)athleticsShane McLeod (2)field hockey
2020Wout van AertcyclingEmma MeessemanbasketballBelgium women's national basketball teambasketballCharles De KetelaerefootballJoachim Gérard (3)tennisPhilip Mestdaghbasketball
2019Remco EvenepoelcyclingNina Derwael (2)gymnasticsBelgium national field hockey team (4)field hockeyYari VerschaerenfootballJoachim Gérard (2)tennisShane McLeodfield hockey
2018Eden HazardfootballNina Derwael (1)gymnasticsBelgium national field hockey team (3)field hockeyRemco EvenepoelcyclingPeter Genyn (2)athleticsRoberto Martinezfootball
2017David GoffintennisNafissatou Thiam (3)athleticsBelgium Davis Cup team (3)tennisLotte KopeckycyclingPeter GenynathleticsRoger Lespagnard (2)athletics
2016Greg Van AvermaetcyclingNafissatou Thiam (2)athleticsBelgium national field hockey team (2)field hockeyLouise CartonathleticsLaurens Devostable tennisRoger Lespagnardathletics
2015Kevin De BruynefootballDelfine PersoonboxingBelgium Davis Cup team (2)tennisTiesj BenootcyclingMarieke Vervoort (2)athleticsHein Vanhaezebrouckfootball
2014Thibaut CourtoisfootballNafissatou ThiamathleticsBelgium national football team (2)footballDivock OrigifootballMichèle GeorgeequestrianMarc Wilmots (2)football
2013Frederik Van LierdetriathlonKirsten FlipkenstennisBelgium national football teamfootballNafissatou ThiamathleticsJoachim Gérard (1)tennisMarc Wilmotsfootball
2012Tom Boonen (3)cyclingEvi Van AckersailingBelgium national field hockey teamfield hockeyKimmer CoppejanstennisMarieke VervoortathleticsJacques Borlée (2)athletics
2011Philippe Gilbert (3)cyclingKim Clijsters (8)tennisMen's 4×400 metres relay (3)athleticsThomas Van der PlaetsenathleticsWim DecleircyclingJacques Borléeathletics
2010Philippe Gilbert (2)cyclingKim Clijsters (7)tennisMen's 4×400 metres relay (2)athleticsLuca BrecelsnookerSven Decaessteckerswimmingnot awarded
2009Philippe GilbertcyclingKim Clijsters (6)tennisMen's 4×400 metres relayathleticsRomelu Lukakufootballnot awarded
2008Sven Nyscyclo-crossTia HellebautathleticsWomen's 4×100 metres relay (3)athleticsElise Matthysenswimming
2007Tom Boonen (2)cyclingJustine Henin-Hardenne (4)tennisWomen's 4×100 metres relay (2)athleticsDominique Cornucycling
2006Stefan Everts (5)motocrossJustine Henin-Hardenne (3)tennisBelgium Fed Cup team (2)tennisYoris Grandjeanswimming
2005Tom BoonencyclingKim Clijsters (5)tennisBelgium national under-21 football teamfootballNiels Albertcyclo-cross
2004Stefan Everts (4)motocrossJustine Henin-Hardenne (2)tennisWomen's 4×100 metres relayathleticsAagje Vanwalleghemgymnastics
2003Stefan Everts (3)motocrossJustine Henin-HardennetennisBelgian Motocross team (2)motocrossKirsten Flipkenstennis
2002Stefan Everts (2)motocrossKim Clijsters (4)tennisLa Villette Charleroitable tennisThomas Buffelfootball
2001Stefan EvertsmotocrossKim Clijsters (3)tennisBelgium Fed Cup teamtennisJurgen Van den Broeckcycling
2000Joël SmetsmotocrossKim Clijsters (2)tennisRSC AnderlechtfootballBart Aernoutscyclo-cross
1999Luc Van Lierde (2)triathlonKim ClijsterstennisBelgium Davis Cup teamtennisBart Wellenscyclo-cross
1998Frédérik Deburghgraeve (3)swimmingDominique MonamitennisBelgian Motocross teammotocrossKim Clijsterstennis
1997Luc Van LierdetriathlonGella Vandecaveye (2)judoNoliko Maaseikvolleyballnot awarded
1996Frédérik Deburghgraeve (2)swimmingUlla Werbrouckjudonot awarded
1995Frédérik DeburghgraeveswimmingBrigitte Becue (2)swimming
1994Jean-Michel Saive (2)table tennisBrigitte Becueswimming
1993Vincent Rousseau (2)athleticsGella Vandecaveyejudo
1992Georges Jobé (2)motocrossAnnelies Bredaelrowing
1991Jean-Michel Saivetable tennisSabine Appelmans (2)tennis
1990Rudy DhaenenscyclingSabine Appelmanstennis
1989Thierry BoutsenmotorsportIngrid Berghmans (8)judo
1988Eric GeboersmotocrossIngrid Berghmans (7)judo
1987Georges JobémotocrossIngrid Lempereurswimming
1986William Van DijckathleticsIngrid Berghmans (6)judo
1985Gaston Rahier
Vincent Rousseaumotocross
athleticsIngrid Berghmans (5)judo
1984Claude CriquielioncyclingIngrid Berghmans (4)judo
1983Eddy AnnysathleticsIngrid Berghmans (3)judo
1982Jacky IckxmotorsportIngrid Berghmans (2)judo
1981Freddy MaertenscyclingAnnie Lambrechtsroller skating
1980Robert Van De Walle (2)judoIngrid Berghmansjudo
1979Robert Van De WallejudoCarine Verbauwen (3)swimming
1978Raymond CeulemansbilliardsCarine Verbauwen (2)swimming
1977Michel PollentiercyclingAnne-Marie Pira (2)athletics
1976Ivo Van DammeathleticsAnne-Marie Piraathletics
1975Bruno BrokkenathleticsCarine Verbauwenswimming
1974Eddy Merckx (6)cyclingnot awarded
1973Eddy Merckx (5)cycling
1972Eddy Merckx (4)cycling
1971Eddy Merckx (3)cycling
1970Eddy Merckx (2)cycling
1969Eddy Merckxcycling
1968Serge Redingweightlifting
1967Ferdinand Brackecycling

Breakdown of winners by sport

Men

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Cycling251967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1990, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Motocross101985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
Athletics61975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1993
Swimming31995, 1996, 1998
Triathlon31997, 1999, 2013
Football32014, 2015, 2018
Judo21979, 1980
Motorsport21982, 1989
Table tennis21991, 1994
Weightlifting11968
Billiards11978
Cyclo-cross12008
Tennis12017

Women

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Tennis161990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Judo111980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997
Athletics81976, 1977, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024
Swimming61975, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1994, 1995
Gymnastics32018, 2019, 2021
Basketball22020, 2025
Roller skating11981
Rowing11992
Sailing12012
Boxing12015
Cycling12023

Team

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Athletics72004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2022
Tennis51999, 2001, 2006, 2015, 2017
Field hockey52012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
Football42000, 2005, 2013, 2014
Basketball32020, 2023, 2025
Motocross21998, 2003
Volleyball11997
Table tennis12002
Motorsport12024

Talent

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Cycling92001, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Football52002, 2009, 2014, 2019, 2020
Cyclo-cross31999, 2000, 2005
Tennis31998, 2003, 2012
Athletics32011, 2013, 2016
Swimming32006, 2008, 2025
Gymnastics12004
Snooker12010

[[Paralympic Games|Paralympic]]

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Athletics82012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Tennis32013, 2019, 2020
Equestrian22014, 2022
Swimming12010
Cycling12011
Table tennis12016

Coach

SportNumber of winsWinning years
Athletics52011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2022
Football52013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2025
Field hockey22019, 2021
Basketball22020, 2023
Cycling12024

Overall

SportTotal number of winsMenWomenTeamTalentParalympicCoachFirst winLast win
Athletics3768828519752025
Cycling37251091119672025
Tennis28116533019902020
Football1730450520002025
Judo13211000019791997
Swimming1336031019752025
Motocross12100200019852006
Field hockey700500220122021
Basketball702300220202025
Cyclo-cross410030019992008
Table tennis420101019912016
Gymnastics403010020042021
Triathlon330000019972013
Motorsport320100019822024
Equestrian200002020142022
Billiards11000001978
Boxing10100002015
Roller skating10100001981
Rowing10100001992
Sailing10100002012
Snooker10001002010
Volleyball10010001997
Weightlifting11000001968

References

References

  1. [https://www.sport.be/sportgala/nl/nieuws/article.html?Article_ID=875684, Nieuws] sport.be, 5 december 2019, article in Dutch
  2. [http://www.sportgala.be/ Sportgala.be; Official website of the organisation awarding the award], website in Dutch
  3. [http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/General_News/2010_12_20_a.html Decaesstecker Named Belgian Paralympic Athlete of the Year], [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC), December 20, 2010
  4. [https://www.demorgen.be/sport/remco-evenepoel-jongste-sportman-van-het-jaar-ooit-nina-derwael-opnieuw-sportvrouw-van-het-jaar~ba0c0042/ Remco Evenepoel jongste Sportman van het Jaar ooit, Nina Derwael opnieuw Sportvrouw van het Jaar, Article in Dutch]
  5. "Carine Verbauwen, Article in Dutch".
  6. [https://sporza.be/nl/2025/01/08/remco-evenepoel-en-nafi-thiam-verzilveren-olympisch-goud-met-trofee-voor-sportman-en-sportvrouw-van-het-jaar~1736334973895/] sporza.be, 12 January 2024, article in Dutch
  7. [https://sporza.be/nl/2023/12/04/evenepoel-en-kopecky-zijn-sportman-en-sportvrouw-van-het-jaar-ook-belgian-cats-vallen-in-de-prijzen~1701689651209/] sporza.be, 10 December 2023, article in Dutch
  8. [https://sporza.be/nl/2023/01/02/remco-evenepoel-en-nafi-thiam-kronen-zich-tot-sportman-en-vrouw-van-het-jaar~1672674345542/] sporza.be, 6 January 2023, article in Dutch
  9. [https://sporza.be/nl/2021/12/19/sportgala-2021-de-volledige-uitslagen-in-alle-categorieen-op-een-rijtje~1639938735170/ Sportgala 2021: de volledige uitslagen in alle categorieën op een rijtje] sporza.be, 19 December 2021, article in Dutch
  10. [https://sporza.be/nl/matches/ander-nieuws/2020-12/van-aert-en-meesseman-zijn-sportman-en-sportvrouw-belgian-cats-grote-slokop~1608198232964/ Van Aert en Meesseman zijn Sportman en Sportvrouw, Belgian Cats grote slokop] sporza.be, 18 December 2020, article in Dutch
  11. [https://sporza.be/nl/matches/ander-nieuws/2019-12/sportgala-2019/ 19-jarigen aan de macht: Evenepoel en Derwael zijn Sportman en Sportvrouw] sporza.be, 21 December 2019, article in Dutch
  12. https://www.hln.be/tennis/david-goffin-wordt-verkozen-tot-sportman-van-het-jaar-en-ziet-fenomenaal-seizoenseinde-zo-beloond~aa84a504/ {{Bare URL inline. (August 2025)
  13. https://sporza.be/nl/2016/12/17/sportgala-2016_-van-avermaet-en-thiam-zijn-natuurlijk-sportman-e-1-2847118/ {{Bare URL inline. (August 2025)
  14. (20 December 2015). "SPORTGALA. De Bruyne kroont zich tot Sportman van 2015, Persoon nu wél Sportvrouw van het Jaar".
  15. "Tom Boonen Sportman van het Jaar". [[De Morgen]].
  16. "Justine Henin Sportvrouw van het Jaar". [[De Morgen]].
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