In 2004 he came fourth in the K1 200m for his club KK Zorka-Boje at the Serbian club championships. In 2005 he was a member of the Zorka-Boje crew which won the K4 500m final. But it was his second place in the K1 200m which finally brought him to the national team selectors' notice.
His fourth-place finish in the K1 200m at the Serbian club championships in 2004 and his participation in a winning crew with Zorka-Boje in the K4 500m final in 2005 were notable achievements. However, it was his second-place finish in the K1 200m race that ultimately caught the attention of national team selectors.