Lower Austria's sports stars 2023: Honors in the casemates

Lower Austria's sports stars 2023: Honors in the casemates

In the "Kasematten" of Wiener Neustadt, the 48th edition of the sports lounge Lower Austria took place, an event that honors the most outstanding athletes in the country every year. In the evening of the award, Valentin Bontus, the Olympic champion in kitesurfing, was named athlete of the year. "This is motivation on the way to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028," said Perchtoldsdorfer, visibly pleased with the honor.

Especially with the women there was also reason to be happy: climbing ace Jessica Pilz celebrated another highlight of their career with their bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. "The year was simply insane. The pressure at the Olympics was really high. I'm so happy that it turned out," she said during the event.

surprising awards

A big highlight was the choice of the team of the year. The football women of Spusu SKN St. Pölten Rush not only won the championship, but also the cup and thus secured the double for the ninth time in a row. They also qualified for the Women’s Champions League.

Veronika Aigner was honored in the paras athlete of the year. The paraskibre and her sister Elisabeth, who acts as her guide, dominated the 2023/24 season and won the coveted World Cup crystal balls in slalom and giant slalom.

The young athlete Lilli Hohenauer from Ziersdorf was also able to look forward to awards. She was awarded for her impressive Beach Volleyball achievements after winning the U18 European Championship with her partner Lia Berger.

The Sports Councilor Udo Landbauer expressed his recognition for the winners by saying: "Congratulations to our radiant winners. In the past few months, they have all proven in impressive manner that they belong to the absolute top of their sport." This appreciation also applies to the nominees who act as role models for the youth with their performance and take place.

Special honor for volunteers

A highlight of the sports lounge was the introduction of the special category "Sports hero of the Year", which focuses on volunteering. On this occasion, Beate Fasching was awarded the WSV Prein on the Rax. In recent years she has campaigned for the establishment of racing tobogganing in Lower Austria and has achieved many successes with her athletes.

Landbauer emphasized the importance of the volunteer: "With their tireless efforts, our volunteers are indispensable cornerstones of organized sport. They do a valuable work every day." Carnival, which was recognized as the "sports heroine of the year", has also provided valuable help in coping with natural disasters.

The evening was rounded off with a special honor for a sports legend. Thomas Diethart, once an outstanding ski jumper, was recognized for his historical success. He had won the 2014 four -hill tour and won a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Sochi. Nowadays Diethart works as a ski jumping trainer and remains an inspiring figure for young athletes.

"Thomas Diethart made impressive for Lower Austria ten years ago and is still an impressive role model for young people," summarized Landbauer, making it clear how much Dietharts should remain in the memory.