"AERIAL ARTS BANJALUKA" SHINES IN PULA: MEDALS AND SPECIAL AWARD WON AT INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered an impressive performance at the third international “Asterias Aerial Tournament” held in Pula, bringing home numerous medals and special recognitions in competition with 133 athletes from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Poland.

PHOTO: Tijana Mutić

The schools “Aerial Arts Banjaluka” and “Vermelho” from Mostar achieved remarkable success across several categories, confirming the growing strength of the regional aerial arts scene.

The club from Banjaluka stood out with four medals, while one of the most prestigious recognitions of the tournament went to Irena Tešić Bursać from “Aerial Arts Banjaluka”. In addition to winning second place in the Adults II (41+) intermediate category, she also received a special award for artistic expression, stage emotion, and overall performance.

A gold medal for “Aerial Arts Banjaluka” was secured by Minja Šuković in the Adults 30–40 beginner category, while Jovana Abramović claimed bronze in the same division. Another bronze medal went to Katarina Timkov-Glumac in the Senior 23–29 beginner category.

Competitors from Mostar’s “Vermelho” also achieved outstanding results.

In the Mini 2 category (ages 10–12), beginner level, Zana Malović won first place, while Rea Markić finished second. In the Teen category (ages 13–16), beginner level, Hana Kajan captured silver and Iman Ljevo earned bronze.

Larisa Bečić from Mostar dominated the Senior 23–29 intermediate category, taking home the gold medal

The competition featured seven age categories and three skill levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced — ensuring fair competition based on participants’ experience and technical preparation.

Performances were evaluated by an international judging panel consisting of Zvjezdana Dervić, Martina Pavlović, Dana Auguštin, Ella Hummel, and Hanne Coeckelberghs. Judges assessed technical difficulty, strength, flexibility, precision, artistic impression, musicality, and stage presence.

This year’s edition of the tournament also introduced a new team competition format involving six groups, further highlighting the rapid growth and development of the aerial arts community in the region.

Organizers emphasized that the tournament’s main goal is to strengthen connections within the aerial acrobatics community and encourage cooperation between coaches, athletes, and judges through international gatherings and the exchange of experience.