Montenegrin karate at the European Championships in Yerevan fulfilled both of its goals - it extended the continuity of successful performances and medal wins and won the organization of the continental championship in 2028, said the president of the Karate Federation, Predrag Perković.
Perković said that the mission of the Karate Federation delegation was extremely successful in Yerevan and that expectations were not only met, but also exceeded.
He recalled that Nemanja Mikulić won the silver medal, while Balša Vojinović, Nenad Dulović and Vladimir Mijač won bronze.
"With four medals won, in both karate disciplines, the best result so far in the senior competition has been achieved. Congratulations to the national team members on their results, thank them for making us proud, with their results, but also with their attitude towards the emblem they wear," said Perković at a press conference.
He reminded that Montenegrin athletes had two more fights for medals and that with a little luck the result could have been even better.
"Congratulations to the selectors, home clubs and coaches, because their work is the basis for achieving representative results.
He emphasized that he was also proud of winning the organization of the European Championship, stating that after 39 years, Podgorica would once again host the best seniors in Europe.
According to him, the appointment of Veljko Brnović as Secretary General of the Mediterranean Karate Federation, which brings together competitors from three continents, is also commendable.
In addition, three Montenegrin referees officiated in Yerevan, at the best-organized championship ever! Milica Bura, Miodrag Radunović and Toko Raičević confirmed that they belong to the elite group of referees.
Silver medalist Nemanja Mikulić thanked his father and coach Slađan Mikulić, stating that without him all of this would not have been possible.
"Thanks to coach Almir Cecunjanin and coach Žarko Raković, my teammates from the national team for their support, with whom we worked hard throughout the year. The medal is the result of continuous work and results in my career so far. There was strong competition, I had pressure, but I managed to overcome it and reach the end," said Mikulić.
The youngest medalist, Balša Vojinović, said that he is returning from the fifth continental championship with his fourth medal, his first in the senior competition.
He recalled that this year he also won a medal at the European Championship in the junior senior competition.
"Thank you to the coaches at my club, my sparring partners. Hard work has paid off. I am satisfied and proud that I won a medal in my debut in senior competition, at only 19 years old," said Vojinović.
Mijač, who won the first European individual kata medal for Montenegrin karate ever, said that he was honored to have won the historic medal, which had been long awaited in the individual competition.
"This is evidence of hard, smart and very well-organized work at the club and national team.
"I am honored to be part of the generation that is raising the level of karate in Montenegro. I would like to thank the selector Milena Milačič, who has been involved in my work for over a decade. Thank you for influencing my success, as well as Almira Cecunjanin, who has been with me from the beginning," said Mijač, who wished the selector a happy birthday in the most beautiful way!
He also congratulated the other Montenegrin karate fighters on their medals, stating that they defended the colors of their country in a dignified manner.
Kata selector, Milena Milačić, said that she is proud to be part of the team, which has been continuously achieving good results for several years.
"I am especially proud of the Mijača medal, it is the result of great effort and work. I am happy that the historic medal came into his hands. Inner strength brought the result in the end, because in a strong competition, nuances decide the medal winners. We have raised the bar, now the hard work is on us," said Milačić.
Coach Almir Cecunjanin pointed out that Montenegrin karate fighters from five weight categories participated in three medal fights and won all three.
"That best speaks of the result we achieved. I am sure that no coach has managed to do that so far. I thank President Perković and the Karate Federation for the conditions that have been provided to us, for my competitors to feel like real athletes and for representing Montenegrin karate in the best possible way," concluded Cecunjanin.
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