The Serbian team doctor almost banned him from competing. “He strongly advised me not to compete in the European Championships. He said the arm injury was too severe and I would be risking a worse injury. But I was determined to give it a go, as it was my last chance at a European Championships Juniors. We made an agreement with my coach: If I feel severe pain, I’ll stop. I had to promise that. Now I’m European Junior Champion,” said Milan RADULJ (SRB/-90), who could hardly believe his luck after winning the gold medal match. “At the beginning of the week, during randori training, the lightweights (-73, note) still outclassed me. It was depressing. I wouldn’t have dared to dream that I would now win my first title.”
Admittedly, Milan Radulj was seeded number three. Last year, the 20-year-old Serb took bronze at the Junior European Championships in The Hague (NED), and this year he celebrated a victory at the Junior European Cup in Sarajevo (BIH). Results that speak for themselves. But then came the European Championship dress rehearsal in Skopje and a right arm injury. “I was in a lot of pain. I couldn’t train for almost a whole month. I came to Tallinn with no expectations at all. Today’s victory was above all a mental feat. I wasn’t able to use a few of my favourite techniques, for example Uchi-mata. But I believed in my chances and I would say that my victory in the final was well deserved.”
Milan is the boyfriend of teammate Marica Perisic (-57). “I was rooting for her in Paris and witnessed a few surprise victories these days. That showed me that outsiders also have a chance if they dare to spring a surprise. I did that perfectly today!”
Marica can be proud.
Author: EJU Media