KOPRIVNICA, October 1, 2026 – Following an exceptionally successful U15 campaign, the cadet (U17) division of the Balkan Wrestling Championship officially got underway today at the “Josip Samaržija – Bepo” School Sports Hall. Croatia’s rising wrestling talents made an immediate statement, locking up ten semifinal berths—six in the men’s division and four in the women’s division.
Competing against tough international opposition from 14 nations, Croatia’s young athletes will enter the mats tomorrow morning aiming directly for podium finishes and gold-medal spots.
In the men’s brackets, Croatian cadets delivered clinical performances through the qualification and quarterfinal rounds, with the following athletes advancing to the semifinals:
David Šemovčan (up to 51 kg) – Wrestling Club Podravka (Host Club)
Alen Hodžić (up to 55 kg)
Roko Ćurić (up to 60 kg)
Lovro Vidović (up to 65 kg)
Mihael Šarčević (up to 80 kg)
Andrej Šušak (up to 92 kg)
The men’s U17 national team is coached from the corner by Eugen Jakovljević and Filip Koščić.
In the women’s tournament, Croatian cadet wrestlers kept up the team’s strong momentum. Four wrestlers punched their semifinal tickets, highlighted by a strong local presence:
Lara Blažeković (up to 49 kg) – Wrestling Club Podravka
Mia Kovač (up to 57 kg)
Ina Rupčić-Krizmanić (up to 61 kg)
Lana Pezić (up to 65 kg) – Wrestling Club Podravka
For Blažeković and Pezić, this tournament holds personal significance as they chase a spot in the finals and a medal before their hometown fans, family, and teammates. The women’s cadet squad is guided by coaches Dinko Kremić and Laura Čičković.
A full day of elite international wrestling is slated for the “Bepo” arena tomorrow:
10:00 AM – Semifinal bouts across all weight divisions
3:00 PM – Start of the medal rounds:
Freestyle (FS) Finals
Greco-Roman (GR) Finals
5:30 PM – Official Opening Ceremony of the Balkan Championship
Following the Opening Ceremony – Women’s Wrestling (WW) Finals and Award Ceremonies
We invite all residents of Koprivnica, sports supporters, and wrestling enthusiasts to pack the stands at the “Josip Samaržija – Bepo” School Sports Hall.
Local fans will have extra reason to cheer loudly for home-club athletes Lara Blažeković, Lana Pezić, and David Šemovčan. Let’s provide our young national team competitors with the loud, spirited home advantage they have earned.
Koprivnica is the host. Croatia has ten semifinalists. Tomorrow, we go after the medals together!
Press Officer: Dinko Kremić
Email: Dinko.kremic@gmail.com
Phone: +385 91 552 3603
Welcome to Koprivnica!