EUSA Insider:
Marko Nenezic
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Belgrade, Serbia
University: University of Belgrade (SRB)
Sport: Chess Published 28 May 2019
How and why did you get involved in Chess?
I started playing chess at the age of nine because it seemed like an interesting game to me, and also because my parents thought it would improve my concentration which was very weak at that time. It seems like their plan worked out after all!
What do you study, and how do you balance your study, training and competition?
I study Civil Engineering. To be honest, at first it was not easy for me to balance chess and studying, but now I am used to it because I have improved my organisation which I consider to be the most important thing.
Tell us about your experiences at the European Universities Championships 2017. Was it your first time at a EUSA event, and what did you enjoy the most?
The European University Championship 2017 was not my first EUSA event. My debut was at the World University Championship which was held in Poland in 2014. Since then I have played at several EUSA Championships and I have to say that I enjoyed them all. Representing my university and country was a great experience for me and I also had a lot of fun meeting new people.
Why do you think taking part in university sport is important?
Taking part in university sport is important because you discover and develop yourself through many different situations, victories and losses. Accepting defeat and learning something from it is crucial for becoming better in anything you do.
In 2019 the European Universities Chess Championships will take place in Budapest, Hungary. Do you hope to be there, and if so, how have your preparations been, and what do you hope to achieve?
I don't think I will be there because I will (hopefully) have finished my studies then. I wish for my successor to be more successful than me and to win a lot of medals!
“Taking part in university sport is important because you discover and develop yourself through many different situations, victories and losses.”
What is your favourite university sport moment?
My favourite university sport moment is my first gold medal which I won in the European University Championship 2017. I missed several medals in the previous championships so this was a very pleasant feeling for me, to finally be on top!
What is your message to European student-athletes like yourself?
My message to all student-athletes is to enjoy their competitions and to participate in EUSA Championships if they have a chance because they will find it fun and entertaining, just as I did!
EUSA would like to congratulate Marko for his success at the 2017 Championships and we wish him all the best in the future!