Milanko Mucibabic has served as President of the National Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina on two occasions, first from 2004 to 2005 and then again from 2022 to 2023. He continues to be a member of the NOC executive committee and has dedicated his life to judo. His achievements include 20 national titles, as well as a handful of veteran European and world gold medals. Despite his numerous achievements, he remains approachable and willing to engage with others, embodying the spirit of a judoka.
Mucibacic was pleased to add to his collection when he won the M9-100kg category on the opening day of the European Judo Championships Veterans Sarajevo 2024. As it has since come to light, this was not his first occasion of standing on the podium at such an event. However, it was the first time that he had done so on home soil. Did that add to the pressure for him?
It was a very special feeling to compete at home. My heart was pumping heavily all day. At the end it was only two of us in my category so I went on the mat and it was technically like my final contest.
Mucibabic has been involved in judo for 60 years, during which time he has also achieved the 10th Dan. He considers judo to be the best sport in the world, and believes that judoka are special people on and off the mat because of judo. There must have been plenty of memories in six decades, and he is grateful for the opportunity to share the most cherished moment of his career.
It has to be the veteran world championships in Olbia, Italy. In the final I won against Thomas Moyse (GBR) a very good judoka. I was down by waza-ari and I remember there was 10 seconds left on the clock. Within that time I managed to throw for waza-ari and secure a hold down the defeat a much better judoka and that is how I became the gold medallist and world champion.
Mucibacic still finds great joy in practising judo hence the veteran world championships scheduled for the end of this year in Las Vegas is also on his agenda. It is understood that he was part of the team who made the decision to bid and host the 2024 veteran Europeans. The team is also considering the possibility of welcoming the world’s veteran judo family in the near future.
Images: Dino Secic
Author: Szandra Szogedi