2017 Best Sportsmen and Sportswomen Award Finalists
Men’s Category:
WINNER with 103 points: Andrei ZHIVAEV (Swimming)
Born 30 June 1998, Andrei Zhivaev of Russia is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics in Samsun with eight (8) gold medals (50, 100m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, 4x200m freestyle mixed relay, 4x100m medley mixed relay)
FINALIST with 85 points: Matthew KLOTZ (Swimming)
Born 24 May 1996, Matthew Klotz of the USA earned several medals from the 2017 Summer Deaflympics: 3 gold medals (50 Backstroke, broke World and Deaflympics Records, 100 Backstroke, broke Deaflympics Record and 200m Backstroke, broke World and Deaflympics Records) and two (2) silver medals (50 Butterfly and 50 Freestyle).
FINALIST with 77 points: Satoi FUJIHARA (Swimming)
Born 28.09.1995, Satoi Fujihara of Japan earned several medals during the 2017 Summer Deaflympics: three (3) gold (400m Freestyle, 1500m Freestyle and 400m Medley), four (4) silver (200m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle, 4x200m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley) and two (2) bronze (200m Medley and 4x100m Freestyle).
FINALIST with 61 points: Cong WANG (Table Tennis)
Born 27.05.1993, Cong WANG of China is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with four (4) gold medals (men single, men double, mix double and team).
FINALIST with 49 points: Sajjad PIRAYGHERCHAMAN (Athletics)
Born 23.01.1993, Sajjad PIRAYGHERCHAMAN of Iran is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics.
FINALIST with 48 points: Victor DINGES (Orienteering)
Born 10.05.1985, Victor DINGES of Russia is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with two (2) gold medals (long distance and relay distance) and one silver (sprint relay (mix) distance).
FINALIST with 46 points: Erkan ESENBOGA (Judo)
Born 19.01.1986, Erkan ESENBOGA of Turkey is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with two (2) gold medals (-60 kg and Kata Team).
FINALIST with 43 points: Adrian BABIC (Cycling)
Born 14.11.1996, Adrian BABIC of Slovakia is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with several medals: gold (Cross-country), silver (Individual Time Trial) and bronze (Road Race).
FINALIST with 29 points: John GESSNER (Curling)
Born 13.05.1980, John GESSNER of Canada. The Canada Men’s Deaf Curling Team at the 3rd World Deaf Curling Championships (WDCC) in Sochi, Russia is coming to home with a gold medal. The Men’s Team was undefeated (11 victories) at the 3rd WDCC and confirmed its supremacy in international Deaf curling. The team’s leader is John GESSNER. Thanks to his first international experience at the 2015 Winter Deaflympics in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia where he won a bronze medal, Gessner showed his leadership skills and positive influence within his team. The team placed third at the 3rd WDCC.
FINALIST with 29 points: John ALLEN (Golf)
Born 31.08.1987, John ALLEN of Germany is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with gold medal and court record.
FINALIST with 19 points: Alexandros PAPADATOS (Wrestling)
Born 31.07.1993, Alexandros PAPADATOS of Greece is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with gold medal in Greco-Roman Wrestling 130kg category and silver medal in Freestyle Wrestling.
Women’s Category:
WINNER with 101 points: Asya KHALADZHAN (Athletics)
Born 12 June 1992, Asya Khaladzhan of Russia is a champion during Russian Deaf Athletics Championships: 4 gold medal (200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay) and 23rd Summer Deaflympics: 4 gold medals (400m, 400m hurdles, 4x100 m relay, 4x400m relay)
FINALIST with 81 points: Melanie STABEL (Shooting)
Born 30 September 1999, Melanie Stabel of Germany earned several medals from the 2017 Summer Deaflympics: gold medal (air rifle), silver (rifle 3 positions and rifle prone), two World and two Deaflympics records.
FINALIST with 65 points: Noseybeh SHAHBAZI (Karate)
Born 16.07.1991, Noseybeh Shahbazi of Iran is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics in Samsun with gold medal.
FINALIST with 64 points: Ludy Yakeline CORREA NAVA (Cycling)
Born 03.04.1991, Ludy Yakeline Correa Nava of Venezuela. She has shown to be a strong and successful athlete that has surpassed many deaf athletes on different levels. She participates in hearing events and finishes with excellent competitive times. Not only that, but her finish times have improved every time. Her ethics in training and preparation are exceptional. She is a devoted athlete that makes an excellent model for all deaf athletes and promising athletes.
Ludy was competing in hearing cycling events and her stellar reputation had become more known to many people and eventually the Federacion Venezolana Polideportiva de Sordos (Venezuela Deaf Sports Federation). When Ludy was affiliated with the VDSF, she committed to the federation that she would finish strong in the Deaflympics 2017 in Samsun Turkey. True enough, Ludy came home to Venezuela with amazing winning records. She received a medal in all the four road cycling events she participated in; they were three silver medals (Individual Time Trial, Road Race, 1000m Sprint) and a gold medal (Points Race).
FINALIST with 50 points: Adelia Naomi YOKOYAMA (Bowling)
Born 10.03.1999, Adelia Naomi Yokoyama of Singapore is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics in Samsun with gold medal (Women’s Master). Adelia Naomi’s talent was discovered and selected for DSA’s trials when she first participated in National Deaf Games last year and she performed well for National Deaf Games last year. Participating in Deaflympics events was her first eye-opener experience. Despite her unexpected illnesses when she was in Samsun, she had been very resilient and persevered to climb up her position during the events. She won her first gold medal for Women's Master event.
FINALIST with 47 points: Suslaidy RIVERO GIRAT (Athletics)
Born 19.08.1987, Suslaidy Rivero Girat of Cuba is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with gold medals (100m and triple jump) and silver (long jump).
FINALIST with 44 points: Danielle JOYCE (Swimming)
Born 14.06.1996, Danielle Joyce of Great Britain. Last 12 months achievements from Danielle Joyce who competes in swimming with no funding: Five short course world records, twice Deaflympics gold medalist in Samsun, Turkey (50m and 100m Freestyle), bronze (50m Back & Mixed Relay).
FINALIST with 40 points: Hanna FEDOSIEIEVA (Orienteering)
Born 19.05.1993, Hanna Fedosieieva of Ukraine is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with several medals: gold (sprint relay (mix) distance and middle distance), silver (sprint distance and relay distance) and bronze (long distance).
FINALIST with 39 points: Meng WANG (Badminton)
Born 15 September 1991, Meng Wang of China. Winning three gold medals in 2017 Summer Deaflympics (women single, women double and team). Selected as the flag bearer at opening ceremony of the Chinese delegation.
FINALIST with 27 points: Kateryna SHEPELIUK (Judo)
Born 05.08.1987, Kateryna Shepeliuk of Ukraine is a champion during 23rd Summer Deaflympics with several medals: gold (-63 kg and Judo Team) and bronze (Kate Team).
FINALIST with 20 points: Kaylin YOST (Golf)
Born 04.02.1992, Kaylin Yost of the USA won gold medal in Women golf in the 2017 Summer Deaflympics. Kaylin was the first American female to earn the Gold medal in Golf at the 2017 Deaflympics. This is also a huge accomplishment as Golf was added as a new sport to the Summer Deaflympics this year, and Kaylin is the first woman golfer to represent the USA in this sport. Kaylin is a full-time professional golfer and is on the Symetra tour. Her aspiration is to become a full-fledged member of Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA).
FINALIST with 18 points: Ivana KRISTOFICOVA (Athletics)
Born 24.05.1990, Ivana Kristoficova of Slovakia won gold medal (shot put) and 4th place (discus) in the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.
FINALIST with 11 points: Stavroula KOTSIREA (Basketball)
Born 24.05.1974, Stavroula Kotsirea of Greece won gold medal in the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.
FINALIST with 10 points: An-Yi HSU (Athletics)
Born 17.09.1994, An-Yi Hsu of Chinese Taipei. Current holder of World Deaf Record as 49.31m– Javelin Throw. She is the young woman with the great desire in Athletics that has been participated in national competitions with hearing athletes also international competitions.
Record History:
International Competition: 2nd place - 46.80m, 2017 Summer Deaflympics
National Competition:
1st place – 48.46m, 2017 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, Chinese Taipei
4th place – 44.81, 2017 National University Athletics Open, Chinese Taipei
5th place – 42.61m, 2017 National Youth Athletics Championships, Chinese Taipei