Montenegrin taekwondo athlete Andrea Berišaj has been selected among the six finalists of the 14th summer edition of the Piotr Nurowski Prize for Europe’s Best Young Athlete, awarded by the European Olympic Committees (EOC).
Among 21 candidates nominated by European National Olympic Committees, the young Montenegrin taekwondo athlete secured a place on the shortlist for one of the most prestigious awards for young athletes in Europe. Previous finalists of the award have gone on to win a total of 42 Olympic medals and 151 World Championship medals, highlighting the quality and significance of this recognition.
Andrea Berišaj’s selection among the six finalists represents an exceptional achievement for Montenegrin sport, Montenegrin taekwondo and NOC Montenegro. It confirms that the achievements of young athletes from Montenegro are recognised and valued at the highest level within the European Olympic movement.
The final vote for the award winners will take place during the 55th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees, which will be held on 12 and 13 June 2026 in Budapest. Alongside Andrea, the finalists include young athletes from Romania, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia.
Andrea Berišaj has recently confirmed her status as one of Europe’s most promising taekwondo athletes. In 2025, she won three bronze medals at major international competitions: at the European Senior Championships in Olympic categories in Aigle, Switzerland; at the World U21 Championships in Kenya; and at the European U21 Championships in Priština, all in the under-67 kg category. Based on these results, NOC Montenegro named her Montenegro’s Best Female Athlete for 2025.
In May 2026, Andrea achieved another outstanding result by winning a bronze medal at the European Senior Championships in Munich, further confirming the continuity of top-level performances in senior competition.
Dušan Simonović, President of NOC Montenegro, emphasised the significance of Andrea’s selection among the finalists:
“This is a great day for Andrea, but also for Montenegrin sport. To be among the six best young athletes in Europe, in competition with candidates from across the European Olympic movement, is a result deserving of great respect. Through her work, talent and attitude towards sport, Andrea has shown that Montenegro has young people capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in Europe. NOC Montenegro will continue to support young athletes, because they are the future of our Olympic team.”
Montenegro’s Best Female Athlete of 2025 will have the opportunity in Budapest to present herself to the European Olympic family and, together with the other finalists, take part in the final selection for the prestigious Piotr Nurowski Prize.
The Piotr Nurowski Prize was established in 2011 in memory of the former President of the Polish Olympic Committee and distinguished sports official Piotr Nurowski. The award is presented to athletes under the age of 18 and aims to recognise young athletes who stand out not only through their results, but also through their character, dedication, sporting behaviour and the values they represent within the Olympic movement
