Mihajlo Zrnić, member of Karate Club “Energija” from Banja Luka, did not manage to secure qualification for the upcoming World Karate Championship in Egypt.
Zrnić, the only athlete from Republika Srpska participating in the qualifying tournament held in Paris, was stopped in the group stage. After victories over competitors from the Philippines and Denmark, he lost the decisive match for first place in the group — and a ticket to the final qualification round — to the representative of Iran.
As a result, Republika Srpska will, unfortunately, not have a representative at the World Championship, scheduled to begin on November 27 in Cairo.
“Although Mihajlo had the same number of points, due to point difference the Iranian competitor advanced. Still, we must be satisfied with what Mihajlo showed — as the only athlete from Republika Srpska, he represented karate with dignity. The leadership of the national federation should reflect on why Mihajlo was our only competitor at these qualifications, and why this year Republika Srpska will not have anyone at the World Championship,” said Boris Popović, karate coach from Banja Luka.
Source: RTRS
