KOPRIVNICA, October 2, 2026 – The “Josip Samaržija – Bepo” School Sports Hall served as the grand stage for the official Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Balkan Wrestling Championship, an event that has drawn over 1,000 athletes, coaches, referees, and team delegates from 14 nations to Koprivnica.
The stands were packed to the rafters as the ceremony delivered a dynamic fusion of artistic performance, athletic tradition, and strong messages of regional unity and sportsmanship.
A major highlight of the ceremony was an energetic, synchronized sports-dance routine featuring 40 performers from three regional clubs:
Twirling Club Ludbreg
Twirling Club Donji Kraljevec
Twirling Club Goričan
Their polished and lively performance drew enthusiastic applause from the spectators, setting an electric tone ahead of the decisive medal-round bouts.
Dignitaries representing the sports community and civic leadership addressed the delegations, athletes, and supporters, commending the immense organizational effort behind the tournament:
Vladimir Bregović, President of the Croatian Wrestling Federation, commended the local organizers for their seamless logistical execution and stressed the importance of bringing premier wrestling events to regional hubs like Koprivnica.
Darko Tetec, President of the Organizing Committee and President of Wrestling Club Podravka, extended gratitude to United World Wrestling (UWW), the Croatian Wrestling Federation, local government bodies, sponsors, and volunteers for collaborating to deliver the largest sporting event in the city’s history.
Ferenc Gyarmati, Official Delegate of United World Wrestling (UWW), expressed high satisfaction with the competition infrastructure, venue operations, and the warm hospitality extended by the host city.
Tomislav Golubić, Prefect of Koprivnica-Križevci County, congratulated the organizing team for demonstrating that continental Croatia can stage complex international sporting events at the highest standard.
Mišel Jakšić, Mayor of Koprivnica and Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, offered a warm welcome to all visiting national teams, wished the competitors fair and inspiring bouts, and officially declared the 2026 Balkan Wrestling Championship open.
Following the official protocol and the playing of the anthems, the spotlight returned to the mats as the cadet division finals got underway, reaffirming Koprivnica’s status as a top-tier sporting host.