Igor Grabucea and Cristina Iovu – sportspersons of 2009

Weightlifters Igor Grabucea and Cristina Iovu were named sportspersons of the year 2009 at the Sports Gala held at the National Opera House in Chisinau on December 22. The event was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Info-Prim Neo reports. Igor Grabucea is an international master of sports. This year, he ranked third at the European Weightlifting Championships held in Romania. Cristina Iovu this year has won silver in the clean and jerk and bronze in the snatch at the European Champs. She set a new European record at the age of only 16. She was also conferred the title of Talent of the Year. Cristina's coach Sergiu Cretu was named the coach of the 2009 sports season. Moldova's national youth rugby team became the team of the year after winning silver in the European Championships hosted by Chisinau. Attending the 2009 Sports Gala, Moldova's Acting President Mihai Ghimpu stressed the major role played by sports in promoting the country's image. Minister of Youth and Sport Ion Cebanu said the successful sportspersons will continue to be supported by the state and will receive money awards depending on the results achieved at national and international competitions. According to the organizers, 200 sportspersons and coaches were awarded at this year's Sports Gala.