He started his wrestling career at age six, following in the footsteps of his father and uncles. He is currently affiliated with Proleter, a club based in Zrenjanin, Serbia. His coach, Sreten Damjanovic, has been instrumental in shaping his career.

Memorable Achievements

One of his most memorable achievements came in 2014 when he won gold at the World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. "Being the world champion has been my dream since I was age six. After 23 years of training it finally came true," he said.

Injuries and Setbacks

His career has not been without challenges. Six weeks before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he injured his hamstring. Despite this setback, he competed but suffered an upset loss in the first round.

Awards and Honours

In 2014, he was named Athlete of the Year in Serbia, surpassing tennis star Novak Djokovic. He also received the 'Golden Badge' award from the oldest Balkan sports newspaper and the May Award from the Sport Association of Serbia.

Media Misinterpretation

In 2015, a media misinterpretation caused a minor storm when he revealed that his father was Croatian and his mother Hungarian. He clarified that he represents only Serbia and has always considered himself Serbian.

Support from Djokovic

After being named Athlete of the Year in 2014, he revealed that Novak Djokovic played a crucial role in his win. "Djokovic gave me three points and one to himself, and because of that I went ahead of him by those two points," he said.

Olympic Campaigns

The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be his third Olympic campaign. He first competed at Athens in 2004 and then Beijing in 2008. "I think that now I'm more mature as a wrestler. I know what I can do at the Olympic Games," he stated.

Future Plans

He plans to continue competing until the 2018 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. After that, he aims to transition into coaching to teach children how to become champions.

This athlete's journey is a testament to dedication and resilience. From early beginnings to international acclaim, his story continues to inspire many in the world of sports.