BROTHERS KRISTIJAN AND LAZAR CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ON THE SAME DAY

Under the same ring lights and on the very same day, two brothers achieved an extraordinary sporting feat. Kristijan and Lazar Nović, siblings from Derventa, both became boxing champions of Republika Srpska, proving that brotherhood does not have to mean rivalry, but can instead be a powerful source of unity, support, and perseverance.

At first glance, they look like ordinary teenagers, but their fists tell a different story. Kristijan (16) and Lazar (14) began their sporting journey in football, before discovering their true passion in combat sports. Although they are members of the Kickboxing Club Derventa, their recent triumph came in boxing, where their talent and dedication truly shone.

“We wanted to try kickboxing, especially Lazar, and our father signed us up,” Kristijan recalled. “From the very first training sessions, everything felt new and exciting. Both of us found ourselves in it.”

Once they gained experience, there was no stopping them. Training sessions, competitions, bouts, and medals followed one another. Their efforts culminated in gold medals at the Individual Boxing Championship of Republika Srpska, held in Bijeljina in mid-December last year.

Competing for Boxing Club Banjaluka 22, Lazar claimed gold in the cadet category up to 63 kilograms, defeating an opponent from a Bijeljina club in the final. Kristijan followed suit in the junior category up to 70 kilograms, securing victory against a rival from Boxing Club “Obilić.” Lazar won his final first, and Kristijan soon followed, strengthening their determination to reach even greater heights.

“We enjoy training,” Lazar said with a smile, admitting that his role models include boxing legend Mike Tyson and Croatian combat sports icon Mirko Filipović.

When asked what sport means to him, Kristijan answered without hesitation: “Everything. Without it, we would be bored. We can’t imagine what we would do otherwise.”

Both brothers dream of bringing home medals from major international competitions one day. “We will give our best to be ready when the time comes for that step,” Kristijan said, noting that every victory brings a special feeling.

Their father, Mladen Nović, proudly spoke about his sons’ passion. “Lazar truly loves it. When he enters the ring, he doesn’t think about the opponent. He’s relaxed, gives everything he has, and that’s it,” said Mladen, who also has a daughter involved in volleyball.

When the spotlights fade, the applause dies down, and the medals are placed around their necks, what remains is the strongest bond of all – brotherly love. Their titles are a source of pride for their family and club, and despite their young age, Kristijan and Lazar have already shown that hard work, discipline, and determination pave the way toward the dominance they dream of in the ring.

At the club, there is one strict rule: because they are brothers, they are not allowed to practice all segments together. “It’s normal to have a bit of rivalry, but we are always each other’s support,” Kristijan explained, while their father jokingly added, “That’s why they do at home what they’re not allowed to do during training.”