Imke Vervaet Honored as Athlete of the Year Following Stellar Career
Published February 27, 2026
Ghent Celebrates Sporting Achievements
At the Ghent Sports Awards 2025, athlete Imke Vervaet received the prestigious Athlete of the Year award. The honor recognizes a memorable final chapter in her athletic career, celebrated alongside six other Ghent laureates representing diverse sporting talents and initiatives.
The City of Ghent annually acknowledges outstanding achievements with these awards, highlighting those who have brought recognition to the city through their athletic endeavors.
A Fitting Farewell for a Champion
Imke Vervaet concluded her impressive top sports career at the end of 2025, but not before achieving significant success on the international stage. She played a crucial role in the mixed 4×400 meter relay team, securing a silver medal at the European Indoor Championships and a bronze medal at the Outdoor World Championships.
“This series of winners proves it: in Ghent we are not only champions in sports, but also champions in making sports a celebration for everyone,”
Alderman of Sport Bram Van Braeckevelt
Vervaet also achieved personal bests in her final competitions, demonstrating her peak performance as she transitioned into retirement. She was selected over fellow nominees Hélène Hesters and Tobe Decraene.
Ghent’s Sporting Successes Recognized
The awards weren’t limited to individual accomplishments. Gantoise Hockey was named Sports Club of the Year following a successful year, winning the Belgian title and the Euro Hockey League (EHL) for the men’s team, and securing bronze at the European level for the women’s team. Their youth program also excelled, with the U14 boys claiming the European championship.
Noah Verreth was recognized as Youth Athlete of the Year for his dominance in swimming, breaking Belgian records in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events. The OTM Ghent team – Ona D’haeyer, Farah Douidah, and Lotte Van Overmeeren – earned the Youth Sports Team of the Year award for their European balance championship win.
Inclusion and Community Spirit
The Ghent Sport Awards also celebrated inclusivity, with Johannes Balbaert named G-athlete of the Year after winning gold and silver medals at the European Para Youth Games. Judo club De Buitelaars received the G-sports club of the year award, celebrating their 50th anniversary as a dedicated G sports club.
She Plays Ghent was awarded Sports Initiative of the Year for its work promoting girls’ participation in sports and showcasing Ghent’s female athletes.
2025 Ghent Sports Awards – Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Athlete of the Year | Imke Vervaet (Athletics) |
| Sports Club of the Year | Ghent Hockey |
| G-athlete of the Year | Johannes Balbaert (Wheeler) |
| G-sports club of the year | Judo club De Buitelaars |
| Youth Athlete of the Year | Noah Verreth (Swimming) |
| Youth Sports Team of the Year | OTM Ghent (Acrogym) |
| Sports Initiative of the Year | She Plays Gent |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Ghent Sports Awards?
The Ghent Sports Awards is an annual event recognizing outstanding achievements in sports within the city of Ghent. - What did Imke Vervaet win?
Imke Vervaet was named Athlete of the Year at the Ghent Sports Awards 2025. - What were Imke Vervaet’s key achievements?
She won silver at the European Indoor Championships and bronze at the Outdoor World Championships in the mixed 4×400 meter relay.
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