Montenegrin high jump record holder Marija Vuković is at the top of the list of candidates for the best female athlete in the Balkans in 2026, the Athletics Federation announced.
It is stated that the Balkan Athletics Federation has announced the calculation of points for the results achieved in 2026 for the selection of the best male and female athletes in the Balkans.
According to the criteria for declaring the best athletes in Balkan Athletics, the Montenegrin national team member and record holder in the high jump is convincingly in first place with a total of 368 points.
Behind Vuković is Nina Vuković from Croatia with 248 points, while Jaroslava Mahučih from Ukraine is third with 234 points.
Vuković reached the leading position thanks to excellent results and medals won during an extremely successful 2026.
Four major results were calculated for her total score of 368 points: 120 points for the bronze medal at the European Championships in Birmingham, 90 for the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games, 88 points for the title of Balkan Outdoor Champion and 70 for the gold medal at the Balkan Indoor Championships.
"Her exceptional season is further confirmed by the fact that she cleared 1,98 meters three times in 2026, along with notable performances at major international rallies," the statement said.
In the men's competition, Božidar Sarabojukov from Bulgaria is in first place with 374 points, ahead of Greek Miltiadis Tentoglu, who has 301 points.
The ceremony of announcing the best athletes of the Balkans for 2026 will be held in Tirana in mid-October, at the Balkan Athletics Gala ceremony.
On this occasion, awards will be presented to the best athletes in the Balkans in the male and female competitions, as well as to the best young athletic stars.
The Balkan Athletics Congress will also be held in Tirana, with the participation of representatives of national athletics federations.
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