Q&A with World Bronze Medalist Stevan Micic

Congratulations on a historic achievment! So how does it feel to win the first ever world medal for the Serbian Freestyle Wrestling Team and to do this in Belgrade?

Stevan: "It is is such an honor to write history for Serbia in freestyle wrestling, and to do it in Belgrade is a dream come true ! Winning my first world medal in my favorite city will be a memory that I will never forget!"

What are your favourite memories from the 2022 Wrestling World Championships?

Stevan: "My match against Japan in the quarterfinals was probably my favorite match. Hasegawa is a world bronze medalist at 61kg last year and I knew he would be a tough opponent to face because of his speed and position. But I was able to wrestle and scramble through positions with my defense to keep him from scoring on me. Also I had a very nice takedown followed by a 4 point throw that I used to ice the match and advance to the quarterfinals."

Tell us a bit about your preparations: How was the transition from Ann Arbor back to Cedar Lake and what does it mean to work with your dad in the wrestling room and have him back in your corner again?

Stevan: "Moving home to the Chicago area from Ann Arbor was a difficult decision for me because Ann Arbor was a place I called home for the 7-8 years and I had to leave my friends and college coaches behind. But the relationship I have with my father made me at ease because I always make the best gains when we work together. Obviously the world bronze medal was a true testament to that."

Wrestling Serbia has won an impressive number of 4 gold medals in Greco Roman wrestling, so what's your message to the fans of freestyle wrestling in Serbia?

Stevan: "I really hope my performance was an inspiration to more people to move toward wanting to learn freestyle in Serbia. Many people love to watch freestyle in the country but maybe they don't see a future for themselves to pursue in Serbia. Now I think I can inspire wrestlers and coaches to begin to push freestyle in Belgrade and the rest of the country."

So what's up next for you?

Stevan: "I'm not completely sure yet! Vacation and relaxation for a few weeks, then I will begin a training camp in the middle of October. If they ask me to be apart of World Cup team maybe I will attend at 61kg."

Thank you very much and all the best to you and to your entire team!

Photo Credit: ENIK