Year in the sign of Youth

Youth fighters Mario Hodžić and Marina Raković are the best karatekas of Montenegro in the senior competition, in fights, and in kata Vladimir Mijač from KK Bar and Jovana Marić from KK Budućnost, in the traditional selection of the Karate Association.

The best young competitors are the world champion from Omladinc Bojan Bošković and his club friend, European vice-champion Milena Jovanović.

In the categories, the best young competitors are Vasilije Perović and Mila Mraković.

The best club is Omladinac, and the most successful is the coach of that club, Žarko Raković, who is also the selector of the women's team in matches.

In the last year, Hodžić won silver medals at the European Championships in Guadalajara and the European Games in Minsk.

He was declared the best athlete of Montenegro in the selection of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK). He is also the best athlete from Podgorica, in the selection of the Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital City.

"I am satisfied with the year, but one gold was missing for a complete impression. I hope to win it next year. That is my main goal and the dream of every athlete to hear the national anthem on the podium," said Hodžić.

He pointed out that the main goal for next year is the Olympic Games (OI).

"Already at the beginning of the year, the qualifications continue. Our goal is to win as many points as possible and to place in Tokyo. Before that, the European Championship and the fight for a new medal await me," said Hodžić.

Raković triumphed at the Serie A tournament in Istanbul, while she was bronze at the Premier League in Dubai. Mijač won gold at the Mediterranean Games in Antalya and was a student of the World Championship in Chile. In 2019, Marić won Balkan medals in individual and team competition.

“The best year so far. We will continue to work with the goal of making the next one even better. We can only do that if we qualify for the Olympic Games and win an Olympic medal. The goal is to make a better result every year than the previous one. I am especially happy that we were successful in all age categories", said Omladinc coach Žarko Raković.

KSCG president Ivan Krstajić was very satisfied with the season.

"We would not have been able to achieve all these results without the support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, which supported us with a serious budget, COK which accompanied us to all the Premier Leagues and supported our best athletes with scholarships," said Krstajić.

He also thanked the journalists, stating that the media contributed in a serious way to the promotion of karate.

"We would not have succeeded without unity in the association, without the joint work of everyone, members of the Board of Directors, selectors, coaches in clubs, referees and expert committees. We have exceeded our goals, I hope we will have a similar year next year as well," said Krstajić.

He emphasized that the goal of the Karate Association is an Olympic medal.

"I am sure, and my opinion is supported by the profession in the Karate Association, that if we make it to Tokyo, we will also win a medal," concluded Krstajić.