Evald Krnic, a diver from Montenegro, jumps from a bridge during a competition on the White Drin River, near the town of Gjakova, Kosovo July 23, 2023.  REUTERS/Fatos Bytyci
Kosovo

Dare to Fly: Inside Kosovo's thrilling bridge-diving tradition

With arms outstretched like bird's wings in the traditional "swallow style," Evald Krnic plunged over 20 metres from a bridge in southern Kosovo into the cold White Drin river.

URA E FSHEJT, Kosovo (Reuters) - With arms outstretched like bird's wings in the traditional "swallow style", Evald Krnic plunged more than 20 metres from a bridge in southern Kosovo into the cold White Drin river.

"You don't just jump; you fly," he told Reuters after winning first place in the bridge-diving competition, an annual event held for the past 73 years and drawing both amateurs and professionals.

"The primary emotion is that of being alive. If you're not afraid, you can't jump, as there's no adrenaline rush, and you might end up making mistakes that could lead to injuries," Krnic said. "The beauty of this sport lies in conquering that fear and taking the leap."

Evald Krnic, a diver from Montenegro, jumps from a bridge during a competition on the White Drin River, near the town of Gjakova, Kosovo July 23, 2023.

Krnic was also the winner last year in the Bosnian town of Mostar where he jumped 22 meters from an old bridge into the river below.

People jump into the river on the day of a diving competition near the town of Gjakova, Kosovo, July 23, 2023.

Florid Gashi, who has won first prize in years past, also said the fear makes the sport so thrilling: "The moment that you are out of the water and you are not hurt that is the biggest thing.”

(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; Editing by Peter Graff)

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