Pehar Valjevski Open Cup

Pehar Valjevski 2025–2026: the beginning of an international strongman competition in Valjevo

Pehar Valjevski is a strongman competition held in Valjevo, Serbia, which entered the international record from 2025 onward. In only two documented editions, the event evolved from a local competition with international participation and a charitable purpose into a larger regional contest, promoted in 2026 as the Valjevski Euro Kup.

The inaugural edition: 2025

The first officially documented edition took place in August 2025 and was presented by local media as the first international Strong-Man competition held in Valjevo. The event was part of Humanitarni dani – Brđanci za Iskru and was staged on the sports ground of OŠ “Milovan Glišić” in the Brđani area.

The competition had a strong community and charitable dimension. The wider event raised funds for the treatment of a local girl, Iskra Lekić, and also included football, 3x3 basketball, food activities and a closing concert.

Participation and results in 2025

Local reports give slightly different figures for the number of competitors, while Strongman Archives records six athletes for the official classification. The documented podium was Bogdan Vuković of Serbia, Peter Vajda of Slovakia and František “Feri” Csizmadia of Slovakia. Vuković therefore became the first champion in the history of the competition.

Events in 2025

The program included Truck Pull, a 145 kg Log Lift, an Overhead Medley with five objects, and a Frame Lift. Bogdan Vuković dominated the competition: local reports say he achieved the best results in most events, was the only athlete to complete the full Overhead Medley, and the only competitor to lift 400 kg in the Frame Lift. In Truck Pull, František Csizmadia was faster, with 16.01 seconds compared with Vuković’s 16.99 seconds.

The event also featured a Bench Press demonstration, won by Mihailo Stanimirović with 80 kg for 35 repetitions.

Bogdan Vuković and the birth of a tradition

Vuković attached special importance to the trophy and expressed the wish for Pehar Valjevski to become an annual tradition. For him, the contest was also an opportunity to bring international strongman to his home city. Foreign athletes reacted positively to the event, and their return in 2026 confirmed the continuity of the project.

2026: the transformation into Valjevski Euro Kup

The 2026 edition took place on 1 May 2026 and represented a clear expansion of the competition. Local media used the name Valjevski Euro Kup u strongmenu, while Strongman Archives kept the event within the Pehar Valjevski series.

The contest moved to the plaza in front of the Valjevo Cultural Centre and benefited from a more visible public setting, institutional support and sponsors. Local media reported 13 competitors and listed Serbia, Great Britain, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova and Lithuania.

Events and weights in 2026

The program included Truck Pull, a 260 kg Suitcase Carry, a 500 kg Tire Flip, Log Lift, a 360 kg Frame Carry and a 200 kg African Stone. These loads show the difference in scale from the inaugural edition and the increasingly demanding character of the contest.

The defending champion’s injury

Bogdan Vuković, the 2025 champion and one of the people involved in the organization, was injured at the start of the 2026 edition. While attempting to lift 430 kg in the Frame Lift, he suffered an injury to the posterior thigh musculature and was unable to continue. The 430 kg attempt should be kept separate from the 360 kg Frame Carry load because the source does not establish that they were the same configuration.

The 2026 champion and podium

The 2026 title was won by Vladislav Shapovalov of Moldova, followed by György Várszegi of Hungary and František Csizmadia of Slovakia. Shapovalov became the second champion in the history of the competition.

Romanian participation

The 2026 edition is especially relevant to the Romanian strongman scene. Strongman Archives documents the participation of Vlăduț Angheloiu, Vlad Voinea, Tudor Stancu and Raul Albu. Angheloiu finished fourth, while Voinea finished fifth in the available classification.

A promising beginning for a regional competition

The first two editions already define the identity of Pehar Valjevski: a competition born from local initiative, strengthened by community involvement and quickly transformed into an international event. Returning athletes, wider international representation, the move into the city centre and the increase in event weights make Valjevo an interesting point on the strongman map of South-Eastern Europe.

Historical note and sources

Some local sources differ on the number of competitors in 2025 and on certain program details. The archive keeps information confirmed by Strongman Archives separate from local media reports and does not fill gaps with assumptions. Main sources consulted include Strongman Archives, Valjevska Posla, ObjektiVA and VA Sport.