Sergeant Ivana Stojanovic, best female athlete of the year in SAF for 2013
The news that it was her who had just won this prestigious award was brought to her while she was in "Jug" military base during a training course for participation in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. As she says, it is the crown of her previous sporting and military career .
Sergeant Ivana Stojanovic has been in the Serbian Army since 2011. Serving as radio operator in the 1st infantry companies 41 Infantry Battalion of the Fourth Brigade . This tall and slender girl from Vranje has another love - karate. She worked as an assistant coach in Vranje karate club "Champion " . Otherwise , she has been practicing karate since she was seven . when she was just ten she won the first medal at a regional pioneer championship.In 2003 she realized the dream of every karatist in Serbia , when she passed an exam for a black belt . Several times she was state champion in the discipline -combat, and has medals from European and Balkan championships . The greatest success she has made , however , as a member of the military in the šotokan karate world championship, held last year in Novi Sad , where she had a chance to prove her worth in a competition with thirty competitors from 25 countries in the category of seniors .
She defeated the teams from Bulgaria, Romania , Germany and Hungary , and reached the semifinals, where she met with another contestant from Bulgaria. In the second part of the match Ivana had an advantage and had victory in his hands and a place in the grand final . Unfortunately , capillaries on the face burst so the judges and doctors did not allow her to play. So the finale passed yet a bronze medal remained as testimony to her success.
- I could almost taste victory and the finals yet I was disappointed that I could not fight for first place. But a bronze medal is a success . After all , this is the biggest success that can be achieved in karate because karate is not an Olympic sport - honest is Ivana .
There can be no success in sports , cultural or any other field without the support of the closest and Ivana had the generous support of her husband, parents and children , not only for practicing karate , but also to work in the Serbian Army .
Currently,. She is preparing for a peacekeeping mission, " UNIFIL" in Lebanon. - I volunteered . I am proud that I have the opportunity to check my military capabilities in the international environment and I hope I will also be able to demonstrate my skills in karate - says our best female athlete.
