Penza, 27 December 2015. PenzaNews. The sports results of Penza in the year of 2015 were summed up in an event held at “Burtasy” sports palace on Saturday, December 26.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“This year was a successful one for the Penza sports field. Our athletes were winners and runners-up in many national and international competitions,” said the governor Ivan Belozertsev in his address to the public.

He thanked the sportsmen for their work, determination, persistence and strong will.

“Today, I also want to thank the parents, the grandparents, who brought you to sports. A particular thank you to the coaches – we would not have these victories without them,” said the head of the region.

Ivan Belozertsev wished the athletes new victories, and presented money certificates and presents to sportsmen and their trainers.

In particular, the reward was presented to Denis Ablyazin, Distinguished Master of Sports in gymnastics, twice silver champion of the 2015 European Championship, and his trainer Sergei Starkin.

Another award was given to Nadezhda Bazhina, Distinguished Master of Sports in diving, who received medals of all three ranks in the 2015 European platform-diving championship, along with her coach Valery Bazhin.

Moreover, the prize was given to Maria Astashkina, World-Class Master of Sports, holder of two gold and one silver medal in the World Swimming Cup, together with her coach Yuri Tyukanin, Distinguished Trainer of Russia.

Yet another reward was presented to the Master of Sports Roman Larin and the top-class swimming coach Sergei Melnikov.

In addition, the authorities praised the achievements of the mini football club “Atmis” who took part in the Russian mini-football championship of 2015 in the Supreme League roster, with its coach Mikhail Kryukov; they also received gifts.

Words and tokens of gratitude were also presented to the mini-football club “Laguna-UOR,” winner of Russian 2015 female mini-football championship and Russian Cup.

Another award was given to Aliya Mustafina, Olympic Champion in gymnastics, Distinguished Master of Sports.

The Penza athletes in 2015 brought back into the region a total of 30 medals from various regions of the country, as well as Europe and the rest of the world, including 15 gold, 12 silver and 3 bronze rewards, the press service of the regional government informed PenzaNews agency.