Remco Evenepoel and Nafi Thiam are Belgium's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year

Remco Evenepoel was elected Belgian Sportsman of the Year on Friday night. Last September, the cyclist became the first Belgian in more than 40 years to win a grand tour. Evenepoel then dominated the World Championships in Australia, by winning bronze in the time trial and becoming the road race world champion.

Nafi Thiam was voted Sportswoman of the Year for the fourth time in her career. The heptathlete was unbeatable in 2022, winning gold medals at the World Championships in Eugene, USA and the European Championships in Munich, Germany.

The Belgian men's athletics team was voted Team of the Year. The Belgian Tornados won gold at the World Indoor Championships in the Serbian capital Belgrade, bronze at the World Championships in Eugene, USA, and silver at the European Championships in Munich, Germany.

Roger Lespagnard, former coach of Nafi Thiam, was elected Coach of the Year, while para-equestrian rider Michèle George was voted Paralympian of the Year. Finally, cyclist Cian Uijtdebroeks won the Talent of the Year award.

The yearly awards show was organised for the first time in 1967. Each January, a group of sports journalists and former winners elect the new champions.

^{Belgian Remco Evenepoel wins the men's elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships Cycling 2022, in Wollongong, Australia. © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}