This weekend, all eyes will turn to Sarajevo as the city gears up to host its 7th judo event of the year. The Arena Hills will welcome 161 judoka from 22 nations, ready to compete. Although the number of participants may seem modest compared to past events, don’t be fooled. Hidden among the list of competitors are Olympians, up-and-coming talents, and athletes with personal and national stakes to prove.
One of the standouts is Edi SHERIFOVSKI (MKD), a Paris 2024 Olympian, competing in the -81kg category. A contingent of Montenegrin athletes will also take the stage, carrying with them the weight of national pride and pressure. They are looking to perform well enough to increase their chances of being selected for the European Judo Championships Podgorica 2025, a home event of great importance for Montenegro. Although unlimited in participation this weekend, only nine male and nine female athletes will be chosen to represent their country in 2025, making every performance count.
Kosovo, a regional judo powerhouse, will send a strong team of six judoka, while the host nation, Bosnia and Herzegovina, will present 18 competitors. Among them is Aleksandra SAMARDZIC (BIH), also a Paris 2024 Olympian. As a seasoned athlete and a leader in the Bosnian team, Samardzic is expected to give a strong performance on home soil.
Adding to the intensity are some judoka fresh from the Military World Judo Championships in Uzbekistan. VARGA Brigitta (HUN) took home bronze, and Anka POGACNIK (SLO) won silver just last weekend. Both will look to carry that momentum into Sarajevo. Ranked #29 in the world, Bojan DOSEN (SRB) is the highest-ranked judoka competing this weekend, taking on all bouts in the -100kg category, making him one of the top names to watch. Adding to the mix, Bearach GLEESON (IRL), who recently won gold at the Malaga European Cup just two weeks ago, arriving in top form.
Though smaller in size, this judo event in Sarajevo promises to be packed with talent and fierce competition. As the weekend unfolds, it will become clear that there is indeed quality lines up behind diminutive numbers.
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Author: Szandra Szogedi