The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski decorated the athletes Olivera Nakovska – Bikova, Branimir Jovanovski, Shaban Trstena and Dejan Georgievski with Order “8 September”.

Olivera Nakovska – Bikova was decorated for her extraordinary, rich and successful sports career in Paralympic and sports archery. She is a multiple state champion and absolute record holder of the Republic of North Macedonia in the air pistol discipline. In this discipline, she won the gold medal at the Summer Paralympic Games in 2012, thus contributing to international affirmation and the reputation of the country.

Branimir Jovanovski was decorated for the outstanding results in his 20-year sports career. He is the first Macedonian paralympian who won a gold medal at one paralympics. During his career he won numerous silver, gold and bronze medals at various championships and international competitions. His huge success as a coach and as a selector is significant, and he was chosen as the best coach of the Macedonian national team in archery for people with disabilities. His contribution to international affirmation and the reputation of the country is enormous.

Shaban Trstena was decorated for winning a gold medal in wrestling at the Summer Olympic Games in 1984, going down in golden letters in the history of Macedonian and world sports as the youngest olympic champion, as well as for winning the silver medal at the Summer Olympic Games in 1988 and the bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championship in 1982. Trstena is a multiple youth and senior champion of Yugoslavia. He was declared the athlete of the 20th century of the Republic of North Macedonia. Shaban Trstena is an example of how with extraordinary success one can become a symbol of one’s country and thus contribute to its international affirmation.

Dejan Georgievski was decorated for achieving historically the greatest success in the field of sports since the independence of our country. By winning the silver medal at the 2021 Summer Olympic Games in taekwondo, he was declared the best athlete of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2021. At the same time, he is the winner of several silver and bronze medals, which contributes to international affirmation and the reputation of the country.

Order “September 8” is awarded to domestic and foreign individuals and organizations for extraordinary merits in the constitution and construction of the Republic of North Macedonia, for exceptional contribution to establishing and strengthening friendly relations and cooperation with other countries and international organizations and affirming and strengthening its international standing and reputation, as well as for outstanding deeds and merits in the field of security, defense and protection.