Stefania Alexandra Uță, a young athlete from Valcea County, continues to make history in the realm of Romanian sports. At the age of 17, she has been selected as a nominee for the esteemed Laureus World Sport Awards 2025, often referred to as the Oscars of Sport, joining an exclusive group of highly accomplished individuals. Previously, only Simona Halep and David Popovici have represented Romania at this globally renowned event. As a member of the 100 Youngsters for Romania's Development campaign, she exemplifies the transformative power of passion, ambition, and relentless dedication, inspiring a generation and offering a beacon of hope for the future of Romanian athletics.
In the year 2024, Stefania confronted a series of challenges while concurrently achieving commendable feats. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, she successfully competed on the podium on several occasions, showcasing her prowess at the pinnacle of her discipline. Notably, Stefania was the youngest competitor among the 1,500 athletes participating in the Senior European Championships in Rome, an event that demanded immense skill and fortitude.
Trained by her teacher Alina Enescu and registered with CS Valcea 1924 and CSM Onești, Stefania was declared Athlete of the Year in Valcea,consolidating her status as a young hope of Romanian athletics.
In the context of the 2024 Sports Year, Stefania's nomination in the category of "Breakthrough Performance of the Year" places her among a distinguished group of athletes. This category includes notable figures such as Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Spanish footballer who was recognized as the Best Young Player at the 2024 European Senior Championship, a tournament ultimately won by the Spanish national team.
In the realm of athletics, the year's nominations include notable figures such as Shericka Jackson, the Jamaican 200-meter flat world champion who attained the second fastest recorded time in history (21.41 seconds), and Sha'Carri Richardson, the American 100-meter world champion who garnered significant attention at the World Championships in Budapest.
The nomination of Stefania Uță at the Laureus World Sport Awards signifies an acknowledgement of her dedication and exceptional proficiency in her field. The Gala, which acknowledges the most accomplished athletes worldwide, is a significant event in the international sporting calendar.
According to the Laureus record, the majority of individual trophies are won by renowned tennis players, including Roger Federer, who has received six titles, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have each received five. Additionally, golf legend Tiger Woods holds the record for the most nominations, with a total of twelve.
For Romania, Stefania Uță's presence at these awards confirms that the young generation of athletes can carry on the tradition of performance.
„"This nomination is a great honor, but also a motivation for the future,"said Stefania.
