Author: Dino Stambolić
Day one at the East Sarajevo European Cup 2023 in sports hall “Peki” once again proved that the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina deservedly received the EJU award for the best technical organiser in 2022.
Mr. Ognjen Pavlović, President of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, believes that the domestic association will justify the high marks and praises it regularly received in the past from EJU officials during the organization of major competitions.
We want to continue with the continuity of good and quality technical organisations, and I believe that this time in East Sarajevo we will prove to be a good host.
The competition, held in the sports hall Peki, has attracted 297 judokas (194 men and 103 women) from 25 countries.
After a short speech by Pavlović, the attendees were greeted by the mayor of the Municipality of Pale, Mr. Boško Jugović.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to host a major sporting event such as East Sarajevo European Cup 2023. I’m glad that we created a respectable sports environment and I hope that all competitors and visitors will feel comfortable in Pale and in East Sarajevo.
With a few words about the history of judo, which is the most trophy Olympic sport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Branislav Crnogorac, senior advisor of EJU Sports commision, officially opened the competition.
The fresh mountain air really suited the competitors considering the performances they presented today in the sports hall “Peki” at Pale (East Sarajevo) and this was also confirmed by the excellent and interesting fights in the final block.
Anđela Samardžić made the domestic audience proud with a win in the final of the U57kg category. With an ippon against Jana Ziegler from Germany, Anđela confirmed the good form from the World Championship in Doha.
It was hard, actually it’s never easy. Four victories at the end resulted with winning gold, which I can’t say I hoped for, but in a way I wished for the brightest medal.
In a certain way, the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina defended the title won last year in Sarajevo, adding,
I’m glad that in this way I confirmed the good performances at the recent World Championship.
Rebeka Rita Koszegi from Hungary won the gold in the U48kg category.
I am happy and satisfied because of my first gold medal at the European Judo Cup for seniors”, said the 19 years old Hungarian judoka, which who has nice memories of performances in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she won bronze last year at the Europena Judo Cup for juniors in Banja Luka.
Lior Rafailov from Israel dominated the competition up to 60 kilograms, defeating Csanad Eczko from Hugary,
It was hard, but it feels good. It’s always nice to be a winner.
The first day of competition ended with two golds for Azerbaijan. Ruslan Pashayev won the -66kg category and his countryman Ibrahim Aliyev was better then Telman Valiyev, also from Azerbaijan, in the competition up to 73 kilograms.
The competition at East Sarajevo European Cup 2023 continues tomorrow at 09.00h.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen