World 400m hurdles bronze medallist Emma Zapletalová became the Athlete of the Year at the Slovak Athletics Gala on Saturday (8).
The 25-year-old enjoyed a superb breakthrough season, slashing 1.28 off her personal best to set a national record of 53.00 to win bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo behind winner Femke Bol and USA’s Jasmine Jones.
In doing so, Zapletalova became just the second Slovakian woman to win a medal in World Athletics Championships history after Martina Hrasnova who won bronze in the hammer in 2009.
Return to prominence
It came after a fallow period in her career since winning gold at the Tallinn 2021 European Athletics U23 Championships, but she burst back to prominence this year training alongside Bol.
"It was my dream season from the beginning and my great comeback on the track after struggling with numerous injuries over two years," said Zapletalova after winning bronze in Tokyo.
She picked up the Athlete of the Year award in Bratislava ahead of race walker Dominik Černý, who was seventh in the men's 35km race walk in Tokyo and Gabriela Gajanová who reached the women’s 800m semi finals in Tokyo.
Tereza Čorejová, who won 100m hurdles bronze at the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships was awarded the Young Star of the Year.
Zapletalová’s coach Bram Peters became the Coach of the Year. Zapletalova also won the Surprise of the Year Award.