Famous athlete and noble man Suad Ćupina has left us

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Vice President of the University Karate Club Bosna and selector of the BiH national team Suad Ćupina passed away last night in Sarajevo at the age of 67.

He was born on November 11, 1951 in Mostar. As a competitor, he won numerous world and European medals, and his top-level career continued in the coaching field, creating a large number of successful BiH athletes. He started practicing karate back in 1968.

In sports, he achieved almost everything that can be achieved - from the title of karate master eighth dan, to winning medals as a competitor and as a coach, as well as a large number of academic titles in the field of sports. Suad Ćupina held a doctorate in sports science from September 3, 2010.

When the aggression against BiH began, he immediately made himself available for the defense of the homeland. In the war year of 1993, he received the Golden Lily for his participation in the defense of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He worked as a coach at the Karate Club Bosna from Sarajevo, and from 1986 to 1992 he served as coach of the cadet, junior and women's selections in fights. Suad Ćupina has been the selector of BiH karatekas since 1993, and his greatest success with the team was achieved in 2006 in Tokyo, when they won world silver. At European championships, he led the BiH team to three silvers and five bronzes.

The BiH national team in Belgrade consisted of: Admir Zukan, Tarik Lušija, Oliver Mandarić, Alem Kupusović, Mate Odak, Nermin Potur and Adnan Adilović. He dreamed of Tokyo again, this time for the upcoming Olympic Games. Death tore him away from that final dream. But his karatekas remained, powerful and ready for the greatest achievements.

Under his leadership, the BiH karate national team won two bronze medals at the recently held World Championship in Belgrade. Nermin Potur and our country's team in fights reached the medals. Previously, at the European Championship in Athens, BiH karatekas also reached bronze. Of course, for Ćupina, this meant only the continuation of a successful streak of men's BiH karate under his expert guidance.

Last year, the celebrated BiH karate coach fell ill with cancer. One of the most difficult surgical procedures was undertaken. And to the amazement of even his friends, the great fighter returned to life. And he knew that, by God's will, this was only additional time, because the doctors had given him that one year. But he never lost his spirit.

On the contrary, he continued to live normally, work and fight for karate youth in BiH. Until the last moment, he was calm, firm and waited for death with incredible courage.