Other events in Baltic States

Despite its small population, Latvia has a large number of outstanding athletes demonstrating true star quality in the international sports scene. The Latvian Institute and BC offer a brief look at the stellar achievements of Latvia’s men and women in sports.

Anete Jēkabsone – Žogota (WOMEN’S BASKETBALL)

The leader of Latvian National Women Basketball team Anete Jēkabsone – Žogota is one of Latvia’s brightest stars with a very promising future. The FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year 2007 and the FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year 2005, Anete helped her previous team Moscow’s “Dynamo” to win the Euro Cup title last year, averaging 20 points per game in the finals as well as claiming the 7th position with her national team in European Championship 2009. She is now proving herself at the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) in the USA scoring for the Connecticut “Sun”. With her efficient performance, Anete is now approaching the top 50 players in the league. The coach of Connecticut “Sun” Mike Thibault expressed his excitement on signing Anete saying that she would make an impact on team’s play. Which she does. Judging from recent scores Anete has become one of the four “Sun” pullers, together making about 70-80% of all her shots. As the WNBA season ended, she joined Moscow’s “Spartak”, which has triumphed the last three seasons of FIBA Euroleague.

Andris Biedriņš (MEN’ S BASKETBALL)

The first and only Latvian to play in the NBA is the Golden State “Warriors” starting centre, Andris Biedriņš. His team’s coach Don Nelson, has called Biedriņš the best centre player he has ever coached. The basketball web portal “Hoopsworld.com” has named Andris as one of the top 5 players in his position in the entire NBA. Nevertheless, many believe Andris is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. For the last three seasons the name of the 23 year old Latvian basketball star can also be found among the top three most precise point earners of the NBA. The independent basketball journalist Paul Nielson gave Biedriņš the title of the most powerful player for the European Championship 2009 in Poland.

Viktors Ščerbatihs (WEIGHT LIFTING)

Latvia’s weight-lifting champion Viktors Ščerbatihs, 2004 Olympic silver medallist, 2007 World Champion and three-times bronze medallist, 5-fold European Champion and numerous medallist, added yet another – this time the Baltic Cup – to his already wide collection of trophies of international importance in 2009. Ščerbatihs is also planning to take part in the London Olympic Games 2012, which means serious medal prospects for Latvia. Speaking of his bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, Viktors admits that he is a bit disappointed because his performance in the snatch technique might have been better. In his out-of training time Ščerbatihs tries to lift the weight of politics being a Latvian parliamentary member as well.

Ernests Gulbis (TENNIS)

Ernests Gulbis is the rising star of Latvian tennis. He is the first male from Latvia to enter the list of the top 100 tennis players of the world. He has struggled this year, ranking only 89^th; however he is only 21 and shows great potential for development. As Geoff Macdonald, a well know tennis coach, commented on Ernests’ game, all he needs is a solid guidance from a good coach: “He has many of the tools to break through to the top echelons of the game.” According to Macdonald, Gulbis is still showing signs of impatience and immaturity due to his young age, however if he can learn to harness his considerable talent and keep the pressure on his opponent, he will be a strong player. He has gotten this far on talent, but if he could commit to working with a seasoned coach he could emerge in the next year as a contender.

Anastasija Sevastova (TENNIS)

Joining Ernests Gulbis on the international tennis circuit for Latvia is Anastasija Sevastova. Anastasija claimed her personal career record by climbing up the WTA ladder 12 positions, landing at 83^rd place. She is the highest ranked Latvian tennis player amongst women. Anastasija is 82^nd  according to the latest WTA statistics and it seems she will not stop there

Māris Štrombergs (BMX)

Māris Štrombergs is definitely the best Latvian BMX rider, whose achievements speak for themselves. He became the first Olympic champion for the BMX class in 2008, as well as claiming European and World champion titles the same year. That is a rather significant achievement in Latvian sport overall because no one before has managed to get all three titles in the same year. Māris has also been the first to win the World Youth Challenge title in his adolescence. Latvia is so proud of Māris, that the Latvian Post Office issued a postmark in honour of his BMX achievements. Although this year Māris claimed only the 4th position in World Championship, he easily made up for it by winning the NBL (National Bicycling League) in the United States with a striking 9 victories in 11 stages. He is the first Latvian to achieve this.

Kārlis Skrastiņš (ICE HOCKEY)

Kārlis Skrastiņš, dubbed by his fans as “the Iron man” is one of Latvia’s best known hockey players. His last season with the Florida’s “Panthers” was considered his best in the NHL. Playing alongside Jay Bouwmeester, Skrastiņš appeared in 80 games and had the best statistical season of his career. By blocking 171 shots he achieved the 9^th best result in the league overall. On 2009 Kārlis signed a contract with Dallas “Stars”. The club’s general manager Joe Nieuwendyk complimented his excellent performance in the last season and hailed Skrastiņš as the player who would bring stability, strength, experience, endurance, and leadership to the “Stars” defensemen. As stated on Dallas fan blog, “Skrastiņš had the lowest Goals Allowed per 60 minutes while on the ice for any “Panthers” defenseman last season and would have been tops on the Stars as well. His overall +/- was better than his partner Bouwmeester and would have second among Stars defenseman behind only Robidas. While he'll never be known as an offensive playmaker, his solid and consistent play in his own zone is infinitely valuable to any team hoping to rebound from a poor defensive season. Such as Dallas.”

Sandis Ozoliņš (ICE HOCKEY)

Sandis Ozoliņš is a veteran hockey player and one of Latvia’s most accomplished stars. His position on the ice is that of a defenseman, though he is pretty capable on offence as well. Ozoliņš has played in the NHL for most of his career. In 1996 – 1997 he was nominated for the prestigious Norris Trophy, which is an award given to the NHL top defence player for outstanding all-round ability in the position. He also played 7 times in the NHL All – Star games. In 1996 he was the first – and the only – Latvian hockey player to win the Stanley Cup with his team the Colorado “Avalanche”. His statistics put him in the position of all – time highest scoring Latvian in the NHL and all – time highest scoring defender in San Jose “Sharks”. Ozoliņš retired in 2008 but decided to come back this season to play for Riga’s “Dinamo”. 

“Dinamo” (ICE HOCKEY)

Only a year after its establishment, the Latvian hockey club “Dinamo” Riga has become one of the most popular teams in Latvia. Thousands of fans are cheering for “Dinamo” while they compete for the cup of the KHL (Continental Hockey League), which is the strongest hockey league in Europe. In their first season “Dinamo” claimed 10th place in the KHL, submitting to the overpowering play of Moscow’s “Dynamo” in the play-offs. Fans are eagerly looking forward this season, which promises to be even more interesting with valuable new additions to the team. Among them, the accomplished NHL veteran Sandis Ozoliņš, who is returning from retirement.

Jeļena Prokopčuka (MARATHON RUNNER)

Jeļena Prokopčuka is one of the world’s premier long distance runners. She established international fame when she won the prestigious New York marathon in both 2005 and 2006, becoming only the 6^th woman to win this famous race more than once. She also participated in the Olympic Games of 2000 and 2004. In 2006 she managed to set up a new record for Latvia in 10 000 m run (claiming the 6^th position) in European Championship. Organizers of the New York marathon officially announced that Prokopčuka will be taking part in the city’s marathon in 2009 as well. However, Jeļena called her

participation off due to her awaited family growth. The next season is on the question mark for her, but her main goal is the London Olympic Games 2012, in which she is planning to run the marathon.

Karlīne Štāla (MOTORSPORT)

Karlīne Štāla is the princess of the Latvian auto-sport. She started her driving career in 2000. Karlīne spent first 5 years driving a carting during which she became Latvian vice-champion and claimed the 8th place in the European Championship. In 2005 she started racing in the Legend Cars races in Finland after which Karlīne drove with the Formula Renault in Belgium. In 2007 she beat the sport’s top men racers when she won the Belgium Formula Renault. Karlīne is the only woman to have won in an international formula series. In 2010 Karline will be the driver of the CMS racing team which will compete in the UK’s premier motor racing championship – The Porsche Carrera Cup.

Haralds Šlēgelmilhs (MOTORSPORT)

Haralds Šlēgelmilhs is a Latvian auto-sport driver. Earlier in his young career, the driver competed in the Scandinavian Formula Renault 2000 and the Lista Formula Masters in 2004 where he was crowned Rookie of the year in both series. In 2008 he took part in the International Formula Master and the Asia GP2 races. His first season record was 5th place, though overall he was 18th. Since his debut Šlēgelmilhs has showed a much better performance, often claiming a place on the pedestal and finishing the last season in 4th position. In 2009 Šlēgelmilhs missed an opportunity to compete in the GP2 championship because of a lack of financing. Instead, he started participating in the Atlantic Championship races. At the moment he is 7^th overall. His highest position is 3^rd. He has also participated in the German F-3 Championship in Assen stage, ranking 2^nd.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Latvia has 500 km of great beaches and great beach volleyball players. The volleyball duet Alexander Samoilovs and Ruslans Sorokins finished in 9^th place, losing to world and Olympic champions Tod Rogers and Philip Dahlhausen in the World Cup finals 2009. 

Latvian beach volleyball players Inguna Misuna and Inese Jursone gave everyone a surprise when they won the European Champion title by overpowering second seed Sarah Goleri and Lorah Ludwig from Germany. This victory gave a wave of enthusiasm and hope for our girls in the London Olympic Games in 2012.

BOBSLEIGH

Bobsled driver Jānis Miņins piloted the four men bobsled at the 1^st World Cup championships of the season and achieved 2^nd place, missing the top position by only 0.02 seconds. He proved that the bronze his team won at the World Championship in Lake Placid in the spring was not mere luck. A pilot often described as having nerves of steel, Jānis Miņins, veteran coach Sandis Prūsis and a skilful team of pushers Daumants Dreiškens, Oskars Melbārdis and Intars Dambis have given Latvia reasons to believe that their teamwork in Vancouver Olympic Games 2010 might lead to success and turn a new and bright page in Latvian bobsled history.

LUGE

Mārtiņš Rubenis is not only Latvia’s most successful luger, he is also the subject of the documentary film “Lohengrin from VarkaKru” by director Viesturs Kairišs.  The film looks into the life of the 2006 Olympic bronze medal winner in Turin, his love of music as DJ Betons from VarkaKru, and his heroic approach to his sport. Another luger Maija Tīruna claimed the 6^th position in World Championship for women.

SPEED SKATING

Latvian short track speed skaters – European champion in 2008 and European vice-champion in 2009, Haralds Silovs, and Evita Krievāne – took part in international short track championship “Winterfest” in Kalgari, Canada. Evita Krievāne achieved her best result by setting up a new Latvian record in 1500 m distance taking the 3^rd position and the 6^th in 1000 m distance. Overall she was 4th. Similarly Haralds Silovs improved on his own and Latvia’s records as well. Overall he claimed 6^th place. They both won the Latvian champion title in 2009 the national championship in Ventspils.

PENTATHALON

Jeļena Rubļevska is a Latvian modern pentathlete who won silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Her recent achievements are the 5th position in the World Championship finals and a bronze medal in the Scandinavian Open in fencing discipline.