The Sports Gala of the University of Minho is a unique occasion to celebrate and congratulate the achievements of the teams of athletes, coaches and managers who are part of the sports at Academia Minhota and who have most distinguished themselves during the sports season, contributing decisively to the recognition of the quality, excellence and importance of sports within our institution. The Sports Gala represents, therefore, a moment of great significance in the annual calendar of the University.
The XXI Sports Gala of the University of Minho took place on the 3rd of October, and counted with about 250 guests, including athletes, coaches, sports managers, University officials, school presidents and course directors, but also leaders of other institutions, university and sports, as well as important personalities of the regional and national sports and political panorama.
The awards presented, called “PODIUM”, seek to institutionalise the recognition of the performance of those who stood out the most during the 2021/2022 sports season in each of the categories. In the running for the 2022 awards were 20 personalities, but only four awards were presented.
The School of Engineering had a great representation at this gala, namely in the category of Athlete Sportspath of the Year 2022, with the nomination of the students:
João Lopes, who finished his Integrated Masters in Computer Engineering. The athlete of Athletics has achieved, throughout his curriculum, three Gold Medals, four Silver Medals and three Bronze Medals in the National University Championships of the sport.
And Ricardo Coelho, who finished his Integrated Masters in Industrial Electronics and Computer Engineering. The Canoeing athlete was four times National University Champion and once Vice-Champion, also achieving two Bronze Medals.
In the category of Female Athlete of the Year 2022, the School of Engineering was represented by the nominated students:
Sofia Oliveira, student of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Industrial Electronics and Computer Engineering, the Kickboxing athlete won, in the 2021/2022 season, the Gold Medal in the National University Championship of the sport and was European University Champion;
and Eva Monteiro, student of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Textile Engineering, the volleyball athlete won, in the 2021/2022 season, the Gold Medal in the National University Championship and contributed to her team’s 8th place in the European University Championship.
In the category of Male Athlete of the Year 2022 the School of Engineering students nominated were:
Tomás Lopes, student of the Degree in Mechanical Engineering and swimming athlete. In the 2021/2022 season, he won the individual Gold Medal in the National University Championships in Short Pool, in the 50m, 100m and 4x50m freestyle, and in the 200m freestyle in Long Pool. He also won the Silver Medal, in Long Pool, in the 100m butterfly, and the Bronze Medal, in Long Pool, in the 4×50 freestyle and Collective;
Tiago Alves, student of the Degree in Computer Engineering and Taekwondo athlete. In the 2021/2022 season, the taekwondo player was National University Champion and won Bronze in the European University Championships of the sport.
And Paulo Pereira, student of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Karting athlete. In the 2021/2022 season, the driver was Gold Medal in the National University Championship of the sport.
Congratulations to all the nominees and to the awarded Sofia Oliveira (Female Athlete of the Year 2022)!
