The Sarajevo Junior European Cup 2024 ended today, and the excellent technical organization was completed by new medals for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the first day of the competition, the domestic judokas won one gold (Sofija PAJIĆ) and one bronze (Lana BJELICA), but Lazar ŽDRALE and Vidak MALJEVIĆ added to more bronze medals which was a good reason for home fans to be satisfied, especially since the season is at the beginning.
Ždrale was left without the opportunity to fight for the gold in the category up to 90 kilograms after losing in the semi-finals to the representative of Serbia, Miljan RADULJ, who in the end reached the title by defeating Romanian competitor Alexandru SIBISAN.
I am happy about the gold medal won. I am sure that it will have a great influence on my confidence for the continuation of the season in which the European and World Junior Championships await me. My wish is to maintain continuity when I talk about good results. I believe that in the coming period I will perform at major competitions which will help me gather experience that will be necessary for me to perform at senior level.
Teammate of Radulj, Nikolina NIŠAVIĆ, confirmed that the tatami on Ilidža suits her. She defended the title won last year in the category up to 52 kilograms. In today’s final she defeated the Turkish Seyma YILDIRIM, emphasising,
I’m glad I defended the title I won last year, especially since this is my last year as a junior.
Notably, her main goal this year is to medal in the Junior European and World Championships.
The category up to 81 kilograms was dominated by Igor TSURKAN. By winning over Mihajlo SIMIN (SRB), the Ukrainian won his seventh continental cup title.
I wouldn’t know exactly which gold medal this is in the order I won, but every medal is dear to me, especially if it’s gold and if I won it in strong competition like it was in Sarajevo.
Already tomorrow starts the training camp for juniors and will last until March 7. The new international judo excitement in Bosnia and Herzegovina will follow in April and May this year.
Author: Thea Cowen