VLADIMIR TADIĆ WINS PRESTIGIOUS HIPA AWARD IN DUBAI

Award-winning photographer Vladimir Tadić from Čelinac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has won first place in the Sports category at the prestigious Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA). The winners were announced on November 11 during a grand ceremony in Dubai.

PHOTO: SeeSrpska

PHOTO: Ustupljena fotografija

Tadić received the award for a striking photo capturing the announcement of the winner at the European Junior Boxing Championship, held last year in the Borik sports hall in Banja Luka. The image powerfully conveys emotion, energy, and symbolism of a decisive sporting moment, perfectly matching this year’s contest theme — “Power.”

“This award comes at a crucial moment for me and means more than any other recognition, even though I have received many awards worldwide. My work usually focuses on nature and adventure, but this photograph tells both a sporting and a life story,” Tadić said after the ceremony in Dubai.

He explained that the image depicts two teenage athletes standing beside the referee — “like two sides of a scale, where one barely outweighs the other.”

“Behind that moment lie months of hard work, effort, and sacrifice. The contrast between victory and defeat, joy and sorrow, is where the true power of this image lies. It’s an honor to see that moment recognized on such a high level,” he added.

The HIPA Award, named after Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is among the most prestigious photography honors in the world, featuring a USD 1 million prize fund.

This year’s competition attracted over 87,000 photographs submitted by around 50,000 photographers from across the globe.

Known for his breathtaking landscape and adventure photography, Tadić continues to build an impressive international career, promoting the natural beauty and heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina through his work.

At the award ceremony, he wore a shirt embroidered with the traditional Zmijanje embroidery, handcrafted by members of the humanitarian association “Duga.”