Montenegrin taekwondo athlete Andrea Berišaj has been named one of Europe’s top three young athletes and has brought the prestigious Piotr Nurowski Prize to Montenegro for the first time. The award, presented by the European Olympic Committees (EOC), was decided by a vote of representatives of the National Olympic Committees during the 55th EOC General Assembly, held on 12–13 June in Budapest.
Berišaj was selected among six finalists from across Europe, alongside athletes from Romania, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia, ultimately earning a distinction that places her among the very best young athletes in Europe. The recognition represents one of the most significant achievements for Montenegrin sport on the international stage and confirms the quality of work being done with young athletes in Montenegro.
Competing against 21 nominees put forward by European National Olympic Committees, Andrea progressed from the shortlist to becoming one of the award recipients. Previous winners of the prize have gone on to win a combined 42 Olympic medals and 151 World Championship medals, highlighting the significance of this recognition within the European Olympic Movement.
The NOC Montenegro was represented at the General Assembly by President Dušan Simonović and Deputy Secretary General Maja Peković.
“Through her work, perseverance and character, Andrea has demonstrated what it means to be a young Montenegrin athlete capable of competing on the biggest sporting stages. This award is also confirmation that Montenegro is building its place in European sport through dedication, knowledge and commitment. We are proud of Andrea, not only because of this important recognition, but because she represents Montenegro and Montenegrin sport in the best possible way. Today, she is an inspiration to every girl and boy in Montenegro who dreams big, and I am confident that a successful career and many more sporting achievements lie ahead of her,” said NOC Montenegro President Dušan Simonović.
Clearly emotional during the ceremony, Andrea Berišaj said:
“This is a huge honour, not only for me but for everyone who has been part of this journey. The award comes just a few months after I was named Montenegro’s Best Athlete for 2025, and I am proud that my hard work and sacrifices have been recognised. This award does not belong only to me. It equally belongs to my coach, my family, my club and everyone who believed in me, even during the difficult moments. For me, and I believe for all the girls in my club and on the national team, this award is motivation to continue training with even greater commitment and determination. Receiving it while preparing for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 is the best encouragement I could have imagined.”
Andrea’s coach, Vlado Stanišić, emphasised that the award is the result of years of dedicated work:
“Andrea is a rare athlete – talented, but above all hardworking and persistent. Behind this recognition stand years of daily effort, sacrifice and belief in a clearly defined goal. What makes me happiest is that, despite everything she has achieved, she remains humble and focused. This award is confirmation that she is on the right path, and the best is yet to come.”
Andrea Berišaj has firmly established herself as one of Europe’s most promising taekwondo athletes. In May this year, she won a bronze medal at the European Senior Championships in Munich. In 2025, she claimed three bronze medals at major international competitions: the European Senior Championships in Olympic weight categories in Aigle, Switzerland; the World U21 Championships in Kenya; and the European U21 Championships in Pristina, all in the under-67kg category. Based on these results, she was named Montenegro’s Best Athlete for 2025 by the NOC Montenegro.
The Piotr Nurowski Prize, named after the former President of the Polish Olympic Committee and distinguished sports official Piotr Nurowski, was established in 2011 and is awarded to Europe’s most promising young athletes. The aim of the award is to recognise young athletes who distinguish themselves not only through sporting results, but also through character, dedication, sportsmanship and the values of the Olympic Movement. The winners are selected by representatives of the National Olympic Committees gathered at the EOC General Assembly.
In addition to the award ceremony, the two-day General Assembly in Budapest brought together representatives of Europe’s National Olympic Committees to discuss key issues facing the Olympic Movement, including preparations for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027, a review of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and reports from EOC commissions and partners from the International Olympic Committee and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
During the Assembly, the EOC Executive Committee endorsed the candidacy of EOC President Spyros Capralos for the presidency of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). The election will take place at the ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong this December.
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