Amalia Covaliu named best young athlete in Europe, earning prestigious Piotr Nurowski Award
Amalia Covaliu has been awarded the Piotr Nurowski Prize for the best young athlete in Europe for 2025. This significant honor was presented on Friday evening during the 55th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Budapest.
A champion in world cadet fencing, Amalia has also made her mark as a multiple European junior medalist. Her recognition comes not just from her athletic prowess, but also from her inspiring and passionate speech at the award ceremony, which resonated with many in attendance.
In her acceptance speech, Amalia expressed her dreams of competing in the European Games in Istanbul in 2027 and qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She emphasized the support she receives from her family and the fencing community, which fuels her ambition.
Amalia received the trophy from Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, and Spyros Capralos, the president of the EOC. Remarkably, this year marked the first time in the history of the award that two athletes, including Allika Inkeri Moser, received the same number of votes, with both Amalia and Moser garnering 13 votes each.
The award comes with a training scholarship of 15,000 euros, which Amalia plans to use for her athletic preparation. She expressed gratitude to the Romanian Olympic and Sport Committee's Athlete Commission for nominating her for this prestigious award.
Amalia's family plays an integral role in her journey; her mother, Irina Covaliu, is her coach, and her father, Mihai Covaliu, is the president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee. Her brother, Vlad Covaliu, is also an accomplished fencer with world and European medals to his name.
Reflecting on her achievements, Amalia stated that every lesson learned through sport contributes to her growth beyond the fencing mat. This award is another step towards her dreams, and she continues to inspire others with her dedication and passion for fencing.