Beni Cepa – The Legend Who Deserves the Title “Master of Sport”

If there is a “Grand Master,” if there is a legend, if there is a true icon of athletics, if there is someone born and destined to live and die with sport — that person is none other than Beni Cepa.

Dhimitri Jorgos, as he is also known, is without a doubt a towering legend of athletics and of Albanian sports as a whole.

We say this because, even for those who may not know him, Dhimitri Jorgos is much more than an athlete. As he approaches his 62nd birthday this January, he continues to practice athletics and discus throwing — securing his place not only in Albanian sports history, but also on the world stage.

He is truly an icon before whom we must bow, for from the moment he was born, it seems God intended for him to become the most successful athlete in history.

You are great, Beni Cepa! You are a Legend and an Icon! You are more than great!

To speak about Beni would take years — but below, we present a brief summary of his remarkable athletic career.

A legend like Beni Cepa will never die...

Cepa, the “Grand Master” of the discus.

Dhimitraq Cepa (also known as Dhimitri Jorgos), born on January 18, 1964

He began his sports journey in 1978, earning first place in shot put among school competitions. It was there that coach Feti Metko recognized his immense talent and brought him to the “Skënderbeu” sports club, initially for shot put.

During two years of training, his talent in discus throwing began to shine. In 1981–1982, he set a national junior record in discus (1.5 kg) with a throw of 48 meters. At just 19 years old, he went on to break the national youth record in the 2 kg discus category with another 48-meter throw — a record previously held by the great Isa Tare, who at the time was also the national champion in the senior category.

From this point on, his dynasty of senior championship titles began. At the 1984 National Spartakiad, only 20 years old, he became national champion in discus with a throw of over 50 meters, and placed third in shot put. These achievements were the direct result of coach Feti Metko’s dedication.

In 1985, he joined the military and competed under the “Partizani” sports club. For two years, aiming for new results and hoping to break the national discus record in the senior category, he trained under coach Ramazan Driza of Partizani. During this period, he earned several national titles in discus and runner-up placements in shot put. However, due to some personal inconsistency, the national record remained unbroken until 1987, when he completed his military service.

During this time, the strong support of club chief Mikel Janku and coach Njazi Lleshi was instrumental in his continued success.

In 1989–1990, following dedicated and dignified training, he broke the national record previously held by master Isa Tare — improving the mark from 52.70 meters to 53.24 meters. Remarkably, he surpassed the previous record three times in six throws during the "Kristo Isak" Cup held in the city of Korçë.

In 1991, he moved to Thessaloniki, Greece, where, with the support of athletics legends Pavlina Evro and Alma Thano, he signed a contract with the sports club Iraklis. In his very first competition — just one week after beginning training — he placed 3rd in the Greek Championship with a throw of 53.90 meters.

Under the coaching and guidance of the Greek national team trainer, Kostas Spandidis, he underwent high-level preparation and was aiming for a throw of 58 meters — the qualifying standard for the Barcelona Olympics at the time. He came very close to achieving that milestone.

Në Korcë kthehet në vitin 1993 ku bashkohet me Skënderbeun duke garuar për Skënderbeun dhe ekipin kombëtar. Në vitin 1994, në kampionatin ballkanik në Bullgari vendos rezultatin më të mirë në disk ku deri më sot nuk e ka arritur askush, deri në kufirin e 53 metrave. Gjatë kësaj kohe në të gjitha garat, Kupa Republike dhe kampionate kombëtare, mbetet kampion i padiskutueshëm dhe nënkampion në shytjen e gjyles, deri në vitin 2004.

Pas një shkëputjeje në vitin 2013 angazhohet në gjyle dhe në disk, ku për çudi në moshën 49-vjeçare shpallet kampion kombëtar me diks 2 kg me rezultatin 45 metra. Vazhdojnë akoma rezultatet edhe sot, madje në moshën 55-vjeçare del sërish kampion me 43 metra. Në vitin 2022 merr pjesë në kampionatin ballkanik për veteranë në master 55 dhe shpallet kampion Ballkani. Po këtë vit shpallet sërish kampion Ballkani në Selanik të Greqisë, rezultate të cilat i ëndërronte prej më shumë se 30 vjetësh.

Cepa achieved over 50 championship titles in discus and shot put throughout his career.

At the age of 16–17, Beni set a national junior record in the 1.5 kg discus with a throw of 48 meters.

At 19 years old, he set a national youth record in the 2 kg discus with the same distance: 48 meters.

He later set the senior national record in the 2 kg discus, reaching nearly 53 meters.

At age 50, he set the national record in the 2 kg discus with a throw of 43 meters.

At the age of 55, in the Balkan Masters Championships, he set a new national record for his age category with a 1.5 kg discus at 46.20 meters.

All of these records remain unbroken to this day.

Beni dedicates all of these achievements to his great coach Feti Metko, to the Almighty, and to his own willpower and tireless work.

The Title “Master of Sport”

Even today, at 62 years of age, Dhimitër Cepa (also known as Dhimitri Jorgos) unquestionably deserves to be awarded the honorary title “Master of Sport” by the Albanian Athletics Federation.

At the close of a long and distinguished athletic career, Beni fully merits this high recognition — because above all, he remains, and will always be, a Legend.

“KORÇA BOOM”