How to Repeat Dokmanac's Reign
Serbian wrestling, as one of our most successful sports, has waited for many years, even decades, to raise its head, to get closer to the very top of the most successful national teams in Europe and the world. While we had our man in the world wrestling federation (Fila), Milan Bata Ercegan, the long-time president of that federation, and three of our most prominent referees (Simic, Nishavic, Tabacki), our wrestling fought feverishly year after year for a better status. Then, after the sanctions, came the 'dry' years, until Serbian wrestling experienced a complete boom and, in a way, a renaissance at the beginning of this century... Serbia waited a full thirty-three years for its first world gold, won by Refik Memisevic in Oslo in 1981. Davor Stefanek climbed to the highest podium in Tashkent in 2014. Serbia waited a full four decades for a new Olympic gold, as Davor Stefanek in Rio, exactly a decade ago, managed to repeat the fantastic success of Momir Petkovic from Montreal (1976).
TL;DR
- Serbian wrestling has a history of struggling for status, especially after sanctions, but experienced a renaissance starting in the early 2000s.
- Key achievements include Refik Memisevic's 1981 world gold and Davor Stefanek's 2014 world gold and 2016 Olympic gold.
- The period under coach Milorad Dokmanac is considered a 'golden age,' with Serbian wrestlers winning 51 medals in 20 years.
- Recent results, such as a poor performance at the European Championship in Zrenjanin, signal potential new challenges for the sport.
- Women's wrestling, after periods of struggle, is experiencing a revival and is predicted by some to yield more medals for Serbia than men's wrestling in the future.
- The engagement of foreign coaches and wrestlers has marked new phases, with mixed results.
- Current leaders face the difficult task of continuing the success despite the challenges and legacy of past achievements.