Today, June 25, 2026, a meeting was held between representatives of the Olympic Committee of BiH and the Karate Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the historic success of Bosnian-Herzegovinian athlete Nejra Sipović.

Attending the meeting were OK BiH President Davor Komšić and Secretary General Antonio Tomić, while the Karate Federation of BiH was represented by President Zdenko Klepić, Secretary General Admir Zukan, coach Zijad Sipović and top Bosnian karateka Nejra Sipović. OK BiH President Davor Komšić congratulated Nejra Sipović and greeted those present on behalf of the OK BiH Presidency, which alongside him includes Vico Zeljković and Izet Rađa.

Komšić briefed attendees on recent changes at OK BiH, including the recent rotation in the presidency and the appointment of new Secretary General Antonio Tomić.

“We want to bring new energy and further improve the work of the Olympic Committee of BiH. Our goal is to put athletes at the center, create better conditions for their development, and increase the number of Bosnia and Herzegovina representatives at the Olympic Games and other major multi-sport events. Successes like Nejra’s confirm that Bosnia and Herzegovina has elite athletes who deserve greater support and visibility,” Komšić said.

Nejra Sipović thanked the hosts and emphasized that the Grand Winner title is the result of many years of work, sacrifice and consistent top-level performances at the world’s biggest competitions.

“This success did not come overnight. Behind me are numerous medals from European and world competitions, titles as champion of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans, but moving into senior competition brought much greater challenges. It has not always been easy to secure attendance at every event and maintain continuity of competition throughout the year,” Sipović said.

Karate Federation of BiH President Zdenko Klepić thanked the Olympic Committee of BiH for hosting the reception on the occasion of Nejra Sipović’s great success and expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to meet and establish cooperation with the new OK BiH leadership.

“The results achieved today by Nejra Sipović, Anes Bostandžić and our other representatives confirm that Bosnian-Herzegovinian karate has the quality and potential for the highest international achievements. Although we cannot always provide the conditions that some more developed sporting environments have, we strive to give our athletes maximum support and help them reach their goals,” Klepić said.

Coach and Nejra’s father Zijad Sipović expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting that this was the first time he had the opportunity for an open and direct discussion at the Olympic Committee of BiH about results, challenges and the future of karate in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“For the first time we had space to speak openly in this institution about everything karate brings to Bosnia and Herzegovina, about the results we achieve, but also about the day-to-day challenges we face. Such dialogue means a lot to us and I believe it can contribute to an even better position for karate in the future,” Sipović said.

Karate Federation Secretary General Admir Zukan thanked the Olympic Committee of BiH for the reception held in honor of Nejra Sipović’s success, stressing that winning the Grand Winner 2026 title is a historic result for Bosnian-Herzegovinian karate and noting that the Karate Federation of BiH includes about 180 clubs and several thousand competitors across the country.

“Nejra Sipović has been among the world’s best karatekas in her category throughout the year and fully deservedly won the prestigious Grand Winner title. This is an award no athlete from Bosnia and Herzegovina — nor from the region — has won before. This success confirms the quality and dedication of the athlete, her coach and the entire Karate Federation of BiH,” Zukan said.

OK BiH Secretary General Antonio Tomić thanked the Federation representatives for attending and stated that the Olympic Committee of BiH will continue to support athletes who promote Bosnia and Herzegovina worldwide through their results.

“I will give my maximum contribution so that together we improve the position of sport in Bosnia and Herzegovina and help our athletes achieve their goals at the highest international competitions,” Tomić said.

The meeting also covered the Karate Federation of BiH’s upcoming activities, international appearances of national team members, and possibilities for further enhancing cooperation between the Olympic Committee of BiH and the Karate Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Nejra Sipović won the prestigious Grand Winner 2026 title in the senior under-55 kg category at the Karate1 Premier League Final in Rabat (Morocco). With this achievement she finished the season as the highest-ranked karateka in the world in her category, becoming the first athlete from Bosnia and Herzegovina — and the region — to receive this honor.