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The 24th edition of the Man of the Year Awards took place Tuesday night at The Royal Hall in Nicosia, bringing together leading figures from across Cyprus and Greece to honor individuals recognized for achievement, character, and contribution to society.
Held under the motto "Virtue is knowledge,” the ceremony highlighted people who, according to organizers, serve as role models and help drive the country forward.
The headline award, Man of the Year, went to Cypriot gymnast Marios Georgiou, who also collected the Athlete of the Year prize, in recognition of his international success and continued impact in sport.
The awards ceremony was attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, House Speaker Annita Demetriou, and Greece’s Education Minister Sophia Zacharaki, alongside politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures.
Among the guests were well-known personalities, including coach Panagiotis Giannakis, presenter Giorgos Kapoutzidis and public relations figure Ilias Psinakis.
Full list of winners:
1. Manager / Entrepreneur of the Year: Dinos Lefkaritis
2. Scientist of the Year: Dr Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
3. Creation & Culture: Prokopis Agathokleous
4. Athlete of the Year: Marios Georgiou
5. International Cypriot: Dakis Joannou
6. University of Nicosia Excellence Award: Heraklis Papachristou
7. Greek of the Year: Giorgos Kapoutzidis
8. Lifetime Achievement (in memory of Christos Iacovidis): Panagiotis Giannakis
9. Honorary Award: Dionysis Savvopoulos (accepted by his son Romanos Savvopoulos)
10. Man of the Year: Marios Georgiou
The honorary award presented to Greek music legend Dionysis Savvopoulos was among the evening’s most emotional moments, with the recognition of his contribution to Greek culture accepted on his behalf by his son.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Giannakis for his long-standing contribution to basketball, both as a player and coach, while Giorgos Kapoutzidis was named Greek of the Year for his work in media and entertainment.
The awards, established in 2001, are among the longest-running recognition events in Cyprus. Organizers say they aim to highlight individuals whose work, persistence, and values set an example for society.
Winners are selected by the editorial team of MAN magazine, with final results determined through a combination of public research company IMR and prominent figures from Cypriot society, each carrying equal weight.
This year’s ceremony once again combined public recognition with a strong cultural and social message, celebrating not only success but also the idea of contribution and influence beyond personal achievement.
