The best in Europe, the first in the world

The tradition of winning medals at every European championship at younger ages since the independence of Montenegrin karate continued in Tampere, Finland, on the very first day of the fight - the 15-year-old cadet from Podgorica Omladinc, Helena Backović, fulfilled the projected goal by winning a gold medal for her team.

With five impressive victories in her debut participation at the European Championship for cadets, juniors and junior seniors, Backović justified her expectations, as well as the expectations of the professional public.

"I came to Tampere after six victories and winning the Premier League in Poreč, although we were preparing so that I would reach my peak form only for the European Championship in Finland. Those matches from Poreč meant for me, but also for my coaches Marina and Žarko Raković, to notice and work on eliminating the observed mistakes so that this would not happen in the most important competition of the year. It was hard, three training sessions a day all summer, but I managed to fight and win the first gold medal at the European competitions, and now comes the preparation to attack new ones. Although, except when there were too many obligations at school, during the year I trained three times a day with the maximum support of the teachers", Helena Backović sums up her impressions with unreserved confidence, after a great success.

And not with unreasonable self-confidence, since she will be the first in the rating on the new world ranking list.

"I won three Premier Leagues, two Balkan championships, I was the champion of Montenegro four times. My schedule was a little disturbed by that year's break due to the pandemic, but I didn't lose much in the competitive part, since I only got the right to perform in the cadet age group in May, so I will have the opportunity to defend the cadet title in the Czech Republic already at the beginning of next year. The pandemic only created a problem for me because of sparring partners because I don't have any in the country. That's why I'm grateful to the club for allowing me two cycles of preparation with competitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then from North Macedonia."

Traveling, socializing and getting to know other cultures are probably an added bonus of playing sports, what do you like most about it?

"First of all, socializing and the support we have on the tatami mat from our colleagues from the countries of the region. She means a lot. As well as that positive nervousness that keeps you awake in the match, and there is no fear. It disappears when you step out onto the tatami mat. And because of that socializing, there is very little time to get to know the host cities and countries of the competition, because you have to give back to your colleagues for their support and be in the hall, cheering for them during their performances. That means a lot," concluded Backović.

Successful on the tatami, but also in the school desk

Although she is known on the mat as one of the greatest hopes of Montenegrin karate, Backović is no less successful in the school classroom.

"After 'Luča' at the elementary school "Vuk Karadžić", I enrolled in the Sports Gymnasium. However, karate is my greatest love and that is fighting. I started in kata when I was four years old, but I only observed the fighting sector in the club and Marina Raković. She is my sports role model, and after a few football training sessions I realized that I still love karate the most. And at the age of six I started fighting with Marina. For the last year, I have been working with the head coach and selector Žarko Raković, but there is no difference. I am looking for a maximum responsible relationship and dedication".