KOPRIVNICA, October 3, 2026 – What an unforgettable day for Croatian wrestling at the “Josip Samaržija – Bepo” Sports Hall! Following an electric opening ceremony before a packed crowd, Croatia’s Under-17 (U17) cadet wrestlers delivered a masterclass on the mats, capturing an extraordinary haul of nine medals.
Croatia added two golds, one silver, and six bronzes to its tournament tally, with two young stars making headlines across the region: Lara Blažeković and Mia Kovač.
While Kovač delivered a dominant, tactical performance to claim her third consecutive Balkan Championship title, local favorite Lara Blažeković orchestrated one of the most dramatic finals in championship history, sending the home crowd into pure ecstasy.
The standout story of the championship belonged to hometown wrestler Lara Blažeković, a proud member of Wrestling Club Podravka.
In the 49 kg final, Blažeković found herself trailing 4:7 with barely ten seconds left on the clock. With time running out and the gold slipping away, Lara displayed immense poise, grit, and champion resolve. Spurred on by a roaring home crowd, she executed a decisive scoring attack in the dying seconds, flipping the score to clinch the gold medal and the Balkan U17 Championship title.
The moment the referee signaled the end of the bout, the “Bepo” arena erupted. Cheers, standing ovations, and tears of joy filled the stands: a local athlete, wrestling in her home arena, taking gold in front of her family, friends, and fellow citizens.
Croatia’s second gold medal came via an authoritative showing by Mia Kovač in the 57 kg division. Squaring off against a tough Turkish opponent in the final, Kovač took control from the opening whistle, dictating the tempo and scoring decisively to capture the top step of the podium.
With this victory, Kovač completed a rare international milestone: winning her third consecutive Balkan Championship crown. Three tournaments, three titles—a testament to her technical consistency and dominance on the regional stage.
In the men’s cadet division, Lovro Vidović turned in a stellar campaign in the 65 kg category, battling through a competitive bracket to earn a hard-fought silver medal.
Alongside Vidović’s silver, Croatian male wrestlers captured three bronze medals:
Mihael Šarčević – Bronze Medal (up to 80 kg)
Toma Jelenc – Bronze Medal (up to 80 kg)
Andrej Šušak – Bronze Medal (up to 92 kg)
The 80 kg podium was especially memorable, featuring two Croatian wrestlers side by side with bronze medals around their necks. The men’s cadet team was coached by Eugen Jakovljević and Filip Koščić.
The women’s national team, led by coaches Dinko Kremić and Laura Čičković, capped off a dominant showing with three additional bronze medals:
Ina Rupčić-Krizmanić – Bronze Medal (up to 61 kg)
Lana Pezić – Bronze Medal (up to 65 kg, Wrestling Club Podravka)
Asja Kojić – Bronze Medal (up to 69 kg)
2 Gold Medals: Lara Blažeković, Mia Kovač
1 Silver Medal: Lovro Vidović
6 Bronze Medals: Mihael Šarčević, Toma Jelenc, Andrej Šušak, Ina Rupčić-Krizmanić, Lana Pezić, Asja Kojić
Total: 9 Medals!
The afternoon medal matches followed an official opening ceremony that packed the “Josip Samaržija – Bepo” arena to capacity. The festivities were highlighted by a synchronized sports-dance performance featuring 40 twirlers from three regional clubs: Twirling Club Ludbreg, Twirling Club Donji Kraljevec, and Twirling Club Goričan.
Dignitaries addressing the participating delegations, officials, and spectators included:
Vladimir Bregović, President of the Croatian Wrestling Federation
Darko Tetec, President of the Organizing Committee and President of Wrestling Club Podravka
Ferenc Gyarmati, Official Delegate of United World Wrestling (UWW)
Tomislav Golubić, Prefect of Koprivnica-Križevci County
Mišel Jakšić, Mayor of Koprivnica and Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, who officially declared the 2026 Balkan Wrestling Championship open.
The cadet finals showcased the true impact of home-mat advantage. The crowd in Koprivnica was far more than an audience—they carried the athletes through grueling exchanges and high-pressure moments.
Lara Blažeković’s last-second heroics, Mia Kovač’s triple crown, and the deep collection of medals across both teams have written an indelible chapter in Koprivnica’s sporting heritage.
The Balkan Championship marches on, with the Junior (U20) division ready to take center stage next!
Welcome to Koprivnica!
