Many will return to action from Sarajevo where the first junior European Cup of the year took place last weekend. The second stop is the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, where 230 judoka from 28 countries gathering this weekend. The primary goal is clear: the get selected for the junior Europeans and Worlds later this year.
When in Bosnia, Montenegro bagged a silver medal via Jovana MRVALJEVIC who took the country to the final in the +78kg category. This weekend, without a doubt, she will be under the spotlight. Three dozens of her teammates will seek to lead the country onto the top of the medal tally. A few hurdles await, both, within the continent as well as from overseas. The latter will see junior #2 John Jr MESSE A BESSONG (CAN / +100kg), #3 Lasha TSATSALASHVILI (CAN / -73kg) and #4 Evelyn BEATON (CAN / -52kg) in action. Italy’s highest ranked, #7 Valerio ACCOGLI (-66kg) will tackle all challenges from an even position with Sofija PAJIC (BIH / -78kg) who is also currently ranked #7. The latter won gold last weekend on home ground which will certainly fuel her in the neighbourhood too.
Good luck to all participants!
Schedule
Attention: The schedule may be modified according to total number of entries and circumstances of competition. *The start time will be confirmed once the final number of athletes is known
Images: Dino Stambolić
Author: Szandra Szogedi