In an exciting weekend for judo in Podgorica, Montenegro welcomed an impressive range of athletes, from Olympians to rising young stars. Mr. Jovica REČEVIĆ, President of the National Judo Federation of Montenegro, shared his thoughts on the tournament, Montenegro’s performance and the road ahead leading to the 2025 Senior European Championship.
When asked about his satisfaction with the national team’s performance, Mr. Rečević expressed his pride in the athletes’ conduct and efforts throughout the competition. “While the final medal count will help us assess our performance in detail, I am already proud of how our athletes conducted themselves. The lineup is incredibly strong and I believe we have demonstrated that Montenegro is ready to compete with some of the top judoka in Europe and beyond,” he stated.
Montenegro’s athletes faced stiff competition but showed resilience, leaving a positive impression on the international judo community. This tournament in Podgorica attracted a diverse field of competitors and Mr. Rečević was particularly honoured by their participation. “We are deeply honoured that such high-caliber athletes, from Olympians to young emerging talent chose to come to Podgorica,” – Rečević said. “It speaks volumes about the reputation we are building here in Montenegro as a host for major judo events.”
This weekend’s tournament also served as a crucial preparatory step for the upcoming European Championship 2025, which Montenegro will host. “This tournament has been a crucial step in our preparations for the 2025 European Championships for many aspects, and I am pleased to say we are on the right track. We are working to ensure everything runs smoothly and to deliver an outstanding championship next year.”– Rečević explained. “It allowed us to identify key areas for improvement, both in logistics and athlete performance. With the support of Dr. Laszlo TOTH, President of the European Judo Union (EJU), Mrs Catarina RODRIGUES, Vice President of the EJU, and the dedicated team of the EJU, we are confident that we will be ready to host one of the best European Championships next year.”
To ensure absolute confidence, Podgorica will host another European Senior Cup as a final test event in March 2025. This event will be held at the 2025 European Championships’ venue, allowing the Local Organising Committee to fully examine every aspect of its management. According to Rečević, the opportunity to experience international competition has been immeasurable for Montenegro’s local athletes.
“Absolutely. Hosting these competitions has given our local team invaluable exposure to international competition, which is critical for their development,” he explained. “Competing against high-level athletes pushes our judoka to improve and prepares them for future international events, including the 2025 Europeans.”
Conclusively, This weekend’s tournament in Podgorica was not just a success for Montenegro’s judo community but also a critical step in the journey toward hosting the European Championship 2025. With the leadership of Mr. Jovica Rečević and the continued support of the European Judo Union, Montenegro is on the path to delivering a world-class event next April.
Author: Szandra Szogedi