Author: Dino Stambolić
Day one at the Sarajevo Junior European Cup 2023 has proven that the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina received the EJU award for the best technical organiser in 2022, for good reason.
The recognition received from European Judo Union is an additional responsibility for the future events, such as the competition which takes place on March 18 and 19 in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2022, we have organised a few big and important competitions. I can say that we are very proud because of the award that we recived from EJU for the best technical organiser in 2022 in Europe which obligates us to be even better in the future,
said Ms. Arijana JAHA, General Secretary of the national federation, former Olympic athlete, coach and EJU Sport Commissioner.
The competition held in the “Arena Hotel Hills”, on its distinctive red and yellow tatami colors, has attracted 268 judokas (166 men and 102 women) from 18 countries.
At the World Cadet Judo Championship held last year in Sarajevo, Linthoi CHANAMBAM made history and became the first ever judo world champion from India. The success of the young Indian judoka was clearly the best recommendation for her and her countrymen to visit Sarajevo again. Unfortunately for them, this time they did not manage to reach the podium.
The first gold medal of the day went to Poland, to Martyna GLUBIAK, which was better than the French Judoka Sylhia MAYILA.
I am really happy that I finally reached the gold medal. I’m glad that the effort invested in training paid off and I sincerely hope that I will continue in this rhythm in the future,
said Martyna Glubiak, the winner in the U63kg.
Martyna’s coach, Jacek KOWALSKI, did not hide his satisfaction with the achieved result.
This is her first gold after winning silver in the last five finals. I am satisfied with her work, in the club and in the national team. I am looking forward to new results, and I hope for more medals to come.
Aleksandra KOWALEWSKA gave the Poles an additional reason for satisfaction by winning the gold in U70kg category. The total dominance of Polish judoka was confirmed by Aleksandra TUREK who won the U78kg.
Nemanja MAJDOV, Serbian judoka and the world champion from 2017, was a big support for his younger colleagues, who ended the first day of competition with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Anastasija BOGDANOVIĆ won the gold for Serbia in the category over 78 kilograms by a win against the Bosnian judoka Lana BJELICA.
Ioan DZITAC from Romania dominated the U73kg category. He took the gold medal in the most populated category at the Sarajevo Junior European Cup 2023 with an ippon against Luke DAVIES from Great Britain.
For the Brit this was the first junior competition. His coach and mother, Jo CROWLEY, was very pleased with his result.
We are very satisfied, especially considering that this is Luke’s first European Cup since becoming a junior. I always feel great in Sarajevo, we know that we will not lack anything,
said Crowley, who this time was in Sarajevo as a coach, in contrast to her previous visit to the Bosnian capital, when she was part of the IJF team that participated in the organization of the World Cadet Championship.
The silver medalist in the U73 category was very satisfied with the second place.
This was my first European Cup since becoming a junior and I cannot be displeased. The competition was strong, and I can’t not to praise the great conditions, especially the warm-up area,
said Davies, who hopes to defend his title from last year at the next competition in Bremen.
The competition at Sarajevo Junior European Cup 2023 continues tomorrow at 09.00h.
Judoka
Author: EJU Media