The capital will be in the spotlight of European and world judo in the coming days - Podgorica is hosting the European Senior Championship from April 23 to 27, which will feature, among others, 25 Olympic and 30 world medalists.
Montenegro and the Judo Federation have been given a great opportunity, they have been shown trust, which they now need to use and show that they can be the organizer of such a sporting event.
- The importance and quality of the competition is best confirmed by the fact that 48 countries are participating with over 420 competitors, among whom are more than 25 Olympic, 30 world and 50 European medals, all won in senior competition. This is the cream of European and world judo - said the president of the Judo Federation of Montenegro Jovica Recevic.
He also emphasized that the organization would not be possible without the Government, the Ministries of Finance and Sports, sponsors...
- There were many challenges, and in order to accommodate all the participants and guests, we had to book 650 hotel rooms. The biggest challenge was the sports infrastructure, the “Morača” hall and the “Bemaks Arena” were on the borderline when it came to the criteria for organizing the European Championship. We had to improvise a lot - Rečević emphasized.
The championship starts tomorrow. On each competition day, preliminary bouts will begin at 10 am, while the final program is scheduled for 16 pm. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 15 pm.
- Entrance to the "Morača" hall will be free for all days of the championship - added Rečević.
Selector Ilija Vukotic emphasized that Montenegrin judo will be represented by nine competitors, after he withdrew due to injury on the eve of the championship. Anto Dubreta.
- We will also have the premiere of our mixed team. The competition will be unexpectedly strong, because usually the first European Championships after the Olympic Games are somewhat weaker due to the rejuvenation of the national teams. This time it is not like that. Judo is a sport of the moment in which everyone has equal chances - the favorites, but also those who are given less chances on paper. The home audience will be an additional motivation for our fighters to go as far as they can - said Vukotić.
Montenegrin judo will represent Petar Radovic i Jusuf Nurković (up to 66 kilograms), Jahja Nurković (until 73/XNUMX/XNUMX), Nikola i Nebojsa Gardašević (until 81/XNUMX/XNUMX), Novo Raičević (until 90/XNUMX/XNUMX), Slobodan Vukic (over 100), Jovana Pekovic (until 78) i Jovana Mrvaljević (over 78).
For the team performance, in the mixed team competition, the following have been registered: Tamara Gardašević i Aisa Nurkovic (until 57) i Nataša Jeftić (until 70).
- They have all trained well, they are in the best possible shape... They have attended several Olympic camps, they are living their dreams, they just need to dream them up - said Vukotić.
Montenegrin national team player Jovana Peković said she feels a little pressure.
- There are 17 registered competitors in my category, including those with Olympic, world and European medals. I am among them, the European champion for younger seniors. In the younger age categories, I have shown that I can compete with them. We have a lot of matches between us, I guarantee that I will be competitive - said Peković.
Novo Raičević, who was a finalist in the recent European Cup, said that he did what he could.
- I have never trained better or harder, I have never been more prepared. I am not entering the championship with small ambitions, although I am aware of the competition. There are 32 fighters in my category, including three who were on the podium at the Paris Games. I know all of these fighters, at the Olympic camp in Tatabanja I fought with everyone and was competitive - Raičević is clear.
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