Aivaras Balžekas

Aivaras Balžekas (April 8, 1982 – October 10, 2005) was a Lithuanian professional tennis player and a member of the Lynn University's tennis team.

Aivaras Balžekas
Country (sports) Lithuania
Born(1982-04-08)April 8, 1982
Šiauliai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
DiedOctober 10, 2005(2005-10-10) (aged 23)
Delray Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
PlaysRight-handed
CollegeLynn University
Prize money$5,328
Singles
Career record0–0
Highest rankingNo. 926 (July 8, 2002)
Doubles
Career record0–0
Highest rankingNo. 939 (October 15, 2001)

Balzekas was a member of Lithuania Davis Cup team and earned a career high ATP singles ranking of world no. 926 in 2002. He played for one season at Lynn in Boca Raton, Florida,[1] and had earned several honors and titles, including finishing the 2005 season ranked 11th in American college tennis. This continued a successful career that began at the Auburn University-Montgomery, where he was a member of the 2004 NAIA national championship team.[2]

Balzekas died at a Florida hospital where he was taken after being struck by a motorist. The collision occurred on October 8, 2005. At the time he was helping a friend push a disabled vehicle along the side of a road.[1] A Boca Raton man named David Walsh was sentenced to a year and one day in prison for the death of Balzekas. He pleaded guilty to driving drunk and killing Balzekas.[3]

References
  1. "Top Lithuanian Player Dies After Crash". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. October 7, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  2. "Lynn Mourns Loss of Balzekas". www.ncaa.com. October 11, 2005. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  3. "Boca man pleads guilty in fatal crash". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. March 16, 2008. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2010.


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