Today, Shaban Trstena received the "8 September" award from the president of Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski.

Trstena thanked those present and emphasized that his and his coaches' work has shown that even a small country like Macedonia can beat big countries.

"At the same time, I want to greet my two coaches, without them I wouldn't be here, they are the selector Naser Naseri and the late, our coach Hajrush Sinani.

You know, all the people know it, but the world also knows that as a sportsman I have received a lot of recognition from all continents, I have received a lot of recognition when we used to live together in a country called Yugoslavia, I have also received from the Republic of Macedonia received a lot of recognition, but this award that is in my hands is something special, something special because I receive it from the hand of the president, from my hometown, from my people, so it will be very special".

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"But I am also proud as a sportsman that I contributed so much, won so many victories, I received all the medals just to be happy and write history for our country, winning the biggest prizes showing that even a small country such as Macedonia, even a small nation, has the strength, it has the will to win powerful countries such as America, Russia and China", stated Trstena, among other things.