Two time winners of the world title, European champions and three time winners of the world university title, Romanian canoeists Liviu Dumitrescu and Victor Mihalachi have been offered the best athletes of the year award during the ‘Golden boats gala’ organized by the Romanian Handball Federation at the Marriott Hotel. Romania’s kayak and canoeing has had an exceptional year following a dry-spell that lasted several season, returning at the forefront of Romanian sports with 26 medals won this year in the juniors’ and seniors’ great competitions, Agerpres writes. Canoeing coach Igor Lipalit was offered the best coach of the year award. RHF President Ioan Birladeanu characterized 2010 as “an excellent year for the Federation. I hope the same will be said about WC 2011 and the 2012 Olympics. If all athletes are healthy we will win 1-2 medals at the Olympic Games. The training has already started.”
