Vlaamse Reus
Flemish award
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vlaamse Reus (literal translation: Flemish Giant) is an award given to a Flemish person active in sports. Whereas until 2022, it rewarded an individual's great sporting achievements, from 2023 onwards, it rewards individuals active in sports showing a great personality, in this way setting itself apart from other sporting awards in Flanders and Belgium.[1] The award's name is a wordplay on the Flemish Giant rabbit. The award is given every year by the "Vlaamse Bond van Sportjournalisten en -fotografen (VBS)" (Flemish Union of Sports journalists and photographers), with only the Flemish sports journalists and photographers eligible to vote for the winner.[2]
From 2023 onwards, the VBS has created and handed out two additional trophies simultaneously with the Vlaamse Reus: the Sports Journalist of the Year and the Sports Photographer of the year.
Until 2023, the award itself was a sculpture created by Willem Vermandere and from 2024 onwards, a sculpture by ex-judoka Heidi Rakels.[3] Sabine Appelmans was the first person to win the prize. Three athletes won the prize three times: Luc Van Lierde, Kim Gevaert en Kim Clijsters.
Winners Vlaamse Reus
Statistics
- Won the award 3 times - Luc Van Lierde (1996, 1997 and 1999), Kim Clijsters (2000, 2001 and 2010), Kim Gevaert (2002, 2004 and 2007)
- Won the award 2 times - Frédérik Deburghgraeve (1994 and 1998), Tia Hellebaut (2006 and 2008), Nina Derwael (2017 and 2018)
Winners Sport Journalist of the Year
| Year | Winner | News Medium |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Peter Vandenbempt | Sporza |
| 2024 | Niels Vleminckx | Het Laatste Nieuws |
Winners Sport Photographer of the Year
| Year | Winner | News Medium |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Yorick Jansens | Belga |
| 2024 | Peter De Voecht | Photo News |