Judoka Sergiu Toma was designated the sportsman of 2011 in the Moldovan Sports Gala that took place at the National Palace on December 23. Athlete Zalina Marghiev became the sportswoman of the year, Info-Prim Neo reports. This year Sergiu Toma has won a bronze at the World Judo Championship in France and another bronze at the European Champs in Istanbul, Turkey. These results practically ensured his presence at the 2012 London Olympics. Zalina Marghiev in 2011 won a gold medal at the World University Games and finished eighth in hammer throw at the World Championship. Vasile Colta was named the best coach of the 2011 sports season, while the national rugby squad became the best team of the year, for its excellent performance at the European Nations Cup. Weightlifter Cristina Iovu, who has great chances of qualifying for the Summer Olympics, received a special prize. Andrei Rotaru (taekwondo WTF) and Mariana Esanu (wrestling) were named Talent of the Year. More than 200 sportspersons, coaches and federation managers were awarded in the Sports Gala for the results achieved on the international arena in 2011. Only for money awards, the Ministry of Youth and Sport spent over 2.5 million lei.