Petar Milenkovic

Started: He took up weightlifting at age 17 and began Para powerlifting in 2005, less than a year after his accident. He started competing in Para powerlifting in 2007. (Klub Sampiona YouTube channel, 16 Feb 2019) Reason: He had practised the sport prior to his accident. "Between the ages of seven and 16 I did karate. At age 17 I began weightlifting as I went to the gym with my older sister and got interested in it. After my accident I decided to return to the sport as I simply love it." (Klub Sampiona YouTube channel, 16 Feb 2019; vice.com, 21 Jun 2016) Awards: He was named Sportsman of the Year for 2022 by the Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities of Belgrade [SSOSIB] in Serbia. (beograd.rs, 23 Jan 2023; Instagram profile, 20 Dec 2022) He won the 2018 Exceptional Mental and Physical Excellence Award from the Serbian Men's Health magazine. (menshealth.rs, 13 Dec 2018) Additional Info: CIGARS FOR RELAXATION He describes himself as a cigar sommelier and likes to smoke one every two days to help him relax. "I have a very pronounced hedonistic trait. I deal in cigars and I have the title of sommelier. People often ask me how that fits in with a top sport, but they're not cigarettes. The only purpose of cigars is relaxation and meditation. They have substances that relax the nervous system, and are even good for rest. I have one cigar every other day, because I am very careful not to spoil everything by over indulging. It's also more of a treat when you don't smoke them all the time." (Instagram profile, 29 Sep 2020; menshealth.rs, 01 Jan 2018) FURTHER EDUCATION He has completed a master's degree in banking. (mondo.rs, 31 Jul 2019)