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. 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.
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. 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 YearWinnerSport/functionNominated1992Sabine Appelmanstennis1993Gella Vandecaveyejudo1994Frédérik Deburghgraeveswimming1995Johan Museeuwcycling1996Luc Van Lierdetriathlon1997Luc Van Lierdetriathlon1998Frédérik Deburghgraeveswimming1999Luc Van Lierdetriathlon2000Kim Clijsterstennis2001Kim ClijsterstennisRaymond Ceulemans, Gella Vandecaveye2002Kim Gevaerttrack and fieldKim Clijsters, Stefan Everts2003Marc HerremanstriathlonKim Clijsters, Stefan Everts2004Kim Gevaerttrack and field2005Tom BoonencyclingKim Clijsters, Stefan Everts2006Tia Hellebauthigh jumpStefan Everts, Kim Gevaert2007Kim Gevaerttrack and fieldSven Nys, Tia Hellebaut2008Tia Hellebauthigh jumpKim Gevaert, Sven Nys2009Niels Albertcyclo-crossKim Clijsters, Yanina Wickmayer, Sven Nys, Eline Berings2010Kim ClijsterstennisPhilippe Le Jeune, Jurgen Van den Broeck2011Thomas Van Der PlaetsendecathlonSven Nys, Jelle Vanendert2012Evi Van AckersailingTia Hellebaut, Tom Boonen, Sven Nys, Hans Van Alphen, Marieke Vervoort 2013Frederik Van LierdetriathlonJan Bakelants, Kirsten Flipkens, Sven Nys, Brian Ryckeman, Bart Swings, Frederik Van Lierde2014Delfine PersoonboxingSven Nys, Bart Swings, Pieter Timmers, Gert Vande Broek, Greg Van Avermaet2015Marieke Vervoortparalympic athleteDelfine Persoon, Hein Vanhaezebrouck2016Greg Van AvermaetcyclingPieter Timmers, Thomas Van der Plaetsen, Peter Genyn, Jolien D'Hoore, Wout Van Aert, Dirk Van Tichelt, Thomas Pieters2017Nina Derwaelartistic gymnasticsGreg Van Avermaet, Emma Meesseman2018Nina Derwaelartistic gymnasticsKoen Naert, Emma Meesseman, Emma Plasschaert, Bart Swings2019Emma MeessemanbasketballNina Derwael, Victor Campenaerts, Remco Evenepoel, Bashir Abdi2020Wout Van AertcyclingBashir Abdi, Romelu Lukaku, Remco Evenepoel, Kevin De Bruyne2021Bashir Abditrack and fieldMiguel Van Damme, Noor Vidts, Matthias Casse, Alexander Hendrickx, Tessa Wullaert2022Remco EvenepoelcyclingBart Swings, Lotte Kopecky, Wout Van Aert2023Patrick Lefeverecycling2024Jan Vertonghenfootball2025Isaac KimeliAthleticsHanne Desmet, Roos Vanotterdijk
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 YearWinnerNews Medium2023Peter VandenbemptSporza2024Niels VleminckxHet Laatste Nieuws
Winners Sport Photographer of the Year YearWinnerNews Medium2023Yorick JansensBelga2024Peter De VoechtPhoto News
References