Two fighters from Kickboxing Club “Kumanovo 2006” will represent Macedonia at the Balkan Kickboxing Championship, which will take place in Novi Sad, Serbia, from May 29 to 31 under the auspices of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO).
As members of the Macedonian national team, Damjan Blazhevski and Kristijan Tomevski will compete in the low-kick ring discipline against some of the region’s top kickboxers.
Both athletes secured their places in the national squad thanks to strong performances at national championships and European Cup tournaments.
Together with coach Sasho Ilievski and Macedonian Kickboxing Federation president Dejan Mitrovski – Urko, they will be part of a national team composed of competitors from several clubs and cities across the country.
“We have prepared intensively and expect strong performances and quality fights through which we will proudly represent Kumanovo and Macedonia. Although we are travelling as members of the national team, the costs are being covered by the clubs due to the lack of support from the Ministry of Sports. Nevertheless, we will fight with courage and dignity. We would like to thank the Kumanovo Municipal Sports Union and the company Buchen Kozjak for their support,” Ilievski said.
He added that insufficient support for young athletes remains a serious issue and that institutions should invest more in sport and future generations.
The Balkan Championship in Novi Sad is expected to bring together many of the region’s leading kickboxers, offering Macedonian athletes an opportunity to test themselves against the best competitors in the Balkans.