Two members of Mizzou Chess Team achieved remarkable results at the World Junior Championships in Mexico City, Mexico. Mizzou’s Grandmaster Luka Budisavljevic, a sophomore, and Woman Grandmaster Beloslava (Bela) Krasteva, a freshman, both tied for first on points and finished third on tie breaks in their respective groups, earning them bronze medals.

This year, the World Juniors and World Juniors Girls Chess Tournaments included the world’s best chess players under 20 years of age. In total, there were 235 players from 55 countries. Even among the tough competition, both Budisavljevic and Krasteva were in contention for first until each of their final games.

In addition to going undefeated throughout the event, Budisavljevic is the first player from what is present-day Serbia to earn a medal at the World Juniors Tournament. Krasteva is the sixth player from Bulgaria to earn a medal at the competition.