16th IFBB BALKAN BODYBUILDING, FITNESS AND BODY-FITNESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Predrag Vuckovic

Seven countries on stage. Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia participated with a maximum number of competitors, which were all in excellent shape.

The event was held in the Universal Hall in Skopje, Macedonia, which was completely crowded all the way through the competition that lasted 8 hours, without interruption. The organizer of this successful event was the Macedonian BBFF, under the leadership of their President, Mr. Boban Gjoroski. The organization was also supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the President of the Macedonian Olympic Committee, Mr. Vasil Tupurkovski. The event was opened by the President of the Balkan Federation, Mr. Nenad Vuckovic, who also welcomed all the participants in the name of the President of the IFBB, Mr. Rafael Santonja.

The most successful team of the Championships was the very strong team from Romania. The Serbian team prevailed over Bulgaria in the last category, in which their mixed pair competitors won the gold medals. It is interesting to mention that Montenegro participated for the first time at an IFBB sanctioned event since they have recognized as an independent state and a new member of the IFBB affiliated countries. There is a big possibility that the host of the next Balkan Championship will be Montenegro and the beautiful city of Budva.

The absolute winner of this Championship, in men's bodybuilding, was Predrag Petrovic from Serbia.