The Marjan Rožanec Awards, the highest recognition of the City of Ljubljana for achievements and work in the field of sports, were presented this year to judoka Andreja Leški, ski jumper Lovro Kos, Jožica Markovič and Anton Hočevar.

The Marjan Rožanc Award for Outstanding Sports Achievement was presented to judoka Andreja Leški

Andreja Leški is the winner of the gold medal in judo at this year's Olympic Games in Paris. She achieved this success through long-term hard work, which significantly enhanced her natural talent. Andreja Leški experienced numerous wins, setbacks, injuries and repeated victories all the way to the top and an Olympic medal.

Among her achievements on the way to the Olympic gold medal, we mention three medals won at Grand Slam and Grand Prix tournaments in 2019, a silver medal at the World Judo Championships in Budapest, a bronze at the European Judo Championships in Lisbon, and five medals from Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Masters tournaments in 2021. Two years later, she won a gold medal at the European Judo Championships in Montpellier, a silver at the World Judo Championships in Doha, and was also on the podium at the Grand Slam tournament.

Andreja Leški has proven through hard work, perseverance and discipline that it is possible to overcome setbacks and difficulties. After each setback, she has returned to an even higher place and this year to the very top of the Olympic Games. This is an especially great achievement, as she was not included in the previous Olympic Games due to the rule of one participant from each country.

The Marjan Rožanac Award for Outstanding Sports Achievement was presented to ski jumper Lovro Kos

Lovro Kos is a member of the Ilirija Ski Jumping Club and the Slovenian men's ski jumping team. He achieved his first ranking among the points winners on 25. March 2021 at the Flying Hill of Gorišek Brothers with 27. place. On 29. December 29, he achieved his best ranking in his career with sixth place in the first series of the New Year's Ski Jumping Tour in Oberstdorf. On 1. January 2022, he achieved his first podium finish in his career with third place in the second series of the New Year's Ski Jumping Tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He crowned an excellent season by winning a silver medal with the Slovenian ski jumping team at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.

Lovro Kos was also a member of the Slovenian ski jumping team that won the gold medal at the 2023 Planica World Championships at home. He proved that he is an extremely important member of every Slovenian team again this year when, together with his national team colleagues, he won the gold medal at the Ski-Flying World Championships in Kulm. With his example, charisma, exceptional dedication, perseverance and motivation, Lovro also influences future generations of ski jumpers in Ljubljana.

The Marjan Rožanac Award for long-term work was presented to Jožica Markovič

Mrs. Jožica or Joži, as she is known throughout Šentvid, is the tireless face of the Šentvid Sports Association, where she has been working as a volunteer since 1974. Joži can be seen every day at the sports center, where she either helps organize the association or greets athletes who enter the center with a kind word. Without Joži, the Šentvid Sports Association would not exist. he is full of energy and always has new ideas, especially on how to include the elderly and children from socially disadvantaged families in sports activities. Her exercise groups, where she herself actively leads workouts for the elderly, are packed and have a waiting list. Without Joži, the Šentvid Basketball Club would not exist because her ingenuity, despite numerous obstacles, managed to keep the training groups full and attract an excellent coaching staff. Among them are many who once competed in Šentvid jerseys and are now experienced coaches and referees.

Joži advocates for healthy life values, which are still noticeably lacking in today's society. Instead of alcohol and cigarettes, children should pick up a ball or a racket. Above all, she excels at intergenerational connections, as the elderly women she works with regularly come to the training sessions of younger basketball players several times a year. This fosters tolerance and strengthens the connection with the elderly in young people. The ladies also absorb the youthful energy, so it is no wonder that Joži's trainees are often in their 80s and 90s.

If I had to describe Joži in a few words, she truly brings together all generations through sports. From sports beginners to the elderly, whom she actively supports sometimes even until the end of their lives. Our Joži is full of energy and always spreads it to others.

The Marjan Rožanac Award for long-term work was presented to Anton Hočevar

Anton Hočevar is a dedicated athlete, whitewater canoeist, Olympian, coach and volunteer sports worker. During his sports career, he achieved a number of top sports results for the then-Yugoslav national team, including 14. place at the Munich Olympics, and competed in four world championships. After his competitive career ended, he actively participated in the development of top young competitors, including his sons Simon and Matej Hočevar, who each reached for the world top in their respective sports. Tone Hočevar began his competitive career in 1966 in Tacen and became the junior republic champion in sprint the following year. He continued to improve his results and in 1968 became the Yugoslav national champion in sprint, and in the following years regularly participated in world championships in both slalom and sprint. He reached the pinnacle of his career at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
In 1997, he embarked on an independent path and, as a founding member of the Simon Canoe Club, he greatly contributed to the development of this attractive sport in Ljubljana. Through his active involvement in the Simon Canoe Club, he contributed to elevating the level of this sport in Ljubljana and Slovenia, both in working with the youth and in elite competitions.

Thanks to his logistical support in organizing training, his granddaughter, Eva Alina, has achieved significant success in world junior competitions for kayakers and canoeists, even winning the title of junior world champion. Meanwhile, his grandson, Žiga Lin, returned from this year's junior world slalom championship with the title of junior world canoe champion. Today, Tone serves as a volunteer for the club and the association at both domestic and major international competitions.