SOFIA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tennis player Grigor Dimitrov was named Bulgaria's Athlete of the Year here on Monday.
Dimitrov, 23, got the most votes among the 125 Bulgarian sports journalists from 53 media who participated in the event held for 57th consecutive year.
The world 11th-ranked player won three ATP titles, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon this season and became the first Bulgarian being ranked into top 10 of the ATP men's singles rankings when he was ranked 8th in April.
Sofia Mayor Jordanka Fandakova, patron of the event, handed the award to his parents, while Dimitrov, who is preparing abroad for the new season, in a holographic address said it was a great honor for him to be elected Athlete of the Year.
Dimitrov, the first tennis player honored with this recognition, said there are many peaks to conquer in front of him, and he hopes he will be a good example for all young people.
"Thank you for your trust in me and for the thousands of Bulgarian flags that I have seen on the stands worldwide," Dimitrov said.
The weightlifter Ivan Markov, World silver medalist and European champion, placed second in the ranking, while the snowboarder Alexandra Zhekova, who took fifth place at Sochi Winter Olympics, came third.
The award of Team of The Year went to the national rhythmic gymnastics ensemble, a world champion in 2014, and its coach Ina Ananieva took the award of Coach of The Year.
Meanwhile, Athlete with disabilities for 2014 was Stela Eneva, who won European titles in women's shot put and discus throw.
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