 Earlier that year he was honored by the BWA.He was not able to defend his title the following year, but he won the Silver Medal at the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan.In Göynük, Turkey, he won the 2003 European Championships and he became UMB World Champion for the second time in 2004 when he overclassed his Greek opponent Filippos Kasidokostas in the final (159, 150, 155).