Montenegrin judo will be represented by ten judokas in the individual competition at the Senior European Championships in Podgorica, the Judo Federation announced.
The championship is scheduled from April 23rd to 27th.
The honor of Montenegrin judo will be defended by Petar Radović and Jusuf Nurković (under 66), Jahja Nurković (under 73), Nikola and Nebojša Gardašević (under 81), Novo Raičević (under 90), Anto Dubreta and Slobodan Vukić (over 100), Jovana Peković (under 78) and Jovana Mrvaljević (over 78).
Tamara Gardašević and Aiša Nurković (under 57) and Nataša Jeftić (under 70) have registered for the team competition, in the mixed team competition.
Coach Ilija Vukotić said that it is impossible to predict the performance of Montenegrin judokas, stating that the competition will be exceptional and that numerous medal winners from the most important international competitions, world championships and Olympic Games will be presented to the Podgorica audience.
"Montenegro has not won a medal at the European Championships for almost 40 years, and just qualifying for the championship is already a success. Anyone who tries to put pressure on our competitors or clumsily expects results from them should be aware of that fact," Vukotić told the MINA agency.
He emphasized that Montenegrin judokas need support and appealed to fans to come to the Morača Hall and support them.
"We believe that our judokas will give their maximum and more. The Federation has put a lot into preparing the competitors, done everything to welcome the guests and ensure that everything runs smoothly. I am confident that the Morača Hall will be filled to capacity and that fans of this martial art will enjoy it," said Vukotić.
The Montenegrin team will make its debut in front of the Podgorica audience in the mixed team competition.
The championship in Podgorica will bring together more than 450 judoists from 48 European countries.
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