Latvian Hockey Star Balinskis Nominated for Prestigious ”three Star Award”
Riga, Latvia - Hockey player Uvis Jānis Balinskis is among teh nominees for the coveted “Sportsman of the Year” title at the 2025 Three Star Award, Latvia’s highest sports honor.Nominations opened earlier this month, wiht the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) inviting sports organizations to submit candidates across ten categories. Public voting is currently underway at triszvaigznubalva.lv/balsot and will conclude on November 26th.
Balinskis, hailing from Ventspils, enjoyed a landmark season with the Florida Panthers, securing his second consecutive NHL Stanley Cup victory. His name was engraved on the trophy - a historic achievement for Latvian hockey. During the 2023-2024 regular season, the defenseman played in 73 games, registering 4 goals and 14 assists.
The Three Star Award ceremony, recognizing top Latvian athletes, coaches, teams, and sporting events, is scheduled for January 7, 2026, at the renovated Riga Circus and will be broadcast live on TV3. The awards themselves are unique, handmade gold bricks created by artist Artūrs Analts, each weighing approximately 5 kg and symbolizing endurance, hard work, and the journey to success.
Past recipients of the “Sportsman of the Year” award include Kristaps Porziņgis (basketball) and Toms Skujiņš (cycling), while kitija Laksa (basketball) was honored as “Sportswoman of the Year” in 2024.
