His former coaches were Nikola Tomasović, Dmitar Marceta and Veljko Čegar.

Two more meagre years followed before he came close in 1996 with 20.90 metres, achieved in August in Niš.

[6] When the country Serbia and Montenegro was formed he won several national titles there too.

[7] He set his personal best in the shot put in this period, with 21.77 metres in April 1998 in Bar, Montenegro.

He failed to even pass 20 metres in 2000 and 2002, but continued setting such marks for some years.