Born: 1988 (Bucharest, Romania)
Biography:
Cristina Georgiana Neagu is a Romanian professional handballer who was born on August 26, 1988, in Bucharest, Romania. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest handball players of all time and has had a significant impact on the sport. Neagu plays as a left back for CSM Bucureti, one of the top handball clubs in Romania, as well as for the Romanian national team.
Growing up in the Ghencea district of Bucharest, Neagu was introduced to handball by her middle school coach, Maria Covaci, when she was 12 years old. With the support of her family and coaches, Neagu quickly rose through the ranks and showed exceptional talent and potential in the sport.
Throughout her career, Neagu has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, including injuries that threatened to derail her progress. During the 2010-2011 season, she suffered a serious injury to her right shoulder cartilage, forcing her to undergo extensive treatment in the United States. After a long and grueling recovery period, Neagu made a triumphant return to the court in the Romanian Women’s Handball League, 605 days after her initial injury.
However, her comeback was short-lived as she suffered another setback during a training session in January 2013. Neagu underwent surgery on her left knee for ruptured cruciate ligaments and was forced to sit out for six months. Despite these obstacles, Neagu’s determination and resilience allowed her to overcome these challenges and make a successful comeback.
Neagu’s career reached new heights when she joined the Montenegrin side Budunost in 2014. In the same year, she was recognized as the best left back of the 2014 European Championship and finished as one of the tournament’s top goalscorers. Her outstanding performances earned her another nomination for the International Handball Federation (IHF) World Player of the Year Award.
In 2015, Neagu won her first Champions League title after an exceptional season where she topped the goalscorers list and was voted the best left back of the competition. That same year, she represented Romania at the World Championship in Denmark, where she scored an impressive 63 goals and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Neagu’s accolades continued to pile up over the years, further solidifying her status as one of the greatest handball players in history. She became the only female player to win four IHF World Player of the Year awards, earning the prestigious title in 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2018. Additionally, Neagu received the EHF Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018, setting a new record.
Known for her prolific scoring ability, Neagu holds the record for the most goals scored in the European Championship, with 303 goals to her name. She has also been selected to the All-EHF Champions League All-Star Team on seven occasions, from 2015 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2022.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to handball, Neagu was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Bucharest in 2017. This distinction highlights her impact on the city and the sport she dedicated herself to.
Beyond her individual accomplishments, Neagu has had a significant influence on society, particularly in promoting women’s sports. Her success and dominance in handball have shattered glass ceilings and serve as an inspiration for young girls around the world. Neagu’s dedication, resilience, and unparalleled skills have not only left a mark on the sport’s history but have also paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
Awards:
– IHF World Player of the Year: 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018
– EHF Player of the Year: 2017, 2018
– All-EHF Champions League All-Star Team: 2015-2018, 2020-2022
– Honorary Citizen of Bucharest: 2017