Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae was honored with the top national sports award Monday.

The 21-year-old was the recipient of the grand prize at the 62nd annual Korean Olympic Committee Awards. This was Son's first such award.

Son wasn't at the award ceremony in Seoul as she competed at the Moscow Grand Prix in Russia over the weekend. At the event organized by the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Son took four medals, including silver in the individual all-around on Saturday. She also won a silver in hoop and bronze in both ball and ribbon on Sunday.

It was Son's first international competition with new programs and further brightened her prospects at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as she went up against Russian rivals who are expected to contend for medals in Brazil.

Son, the 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medalist, last year was a triple gold medal winner at the Gwangju Summer Universiade along with two silvers. She also won three gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the 7th Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships held in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province in June.

Son, one of the country's most popular and visible athletes, was fifth in the individual all-around at the 2012 London Olympic Games. (Yonhap)