A member of the Rožaje Judo Club Ibar Jahja Nurković is the best senior in Montenegro in 2025, in the traditional selection of the Judo Federation.
Last year, Nurković finished second at the European Cup in Sarajevo, while he took seventh place in Zagreb.
He participated in the European Championship in Podgorica and the World Championship in Budapest.
"I am very honored and proud to have been named the best senior in Montenegro, as the highest-ranked Montenegrin judoka in the World Rankings. The recognition means a lot to me and represents confirmation of many years of work, sacrifice and faith in success. I am especially proud to come from the Ibar Judo Club, which is the foundation of my sporting journey," Nurković told the MINA agency.
He thanked the Judo Federation of Montenegro, his club, coaches, family and everyone who supported him along the way.
"The recognition is additional motivation to continue even stronger. My goal is clear - to achieve the norm and represent Montenegro at the 2028 Olympic Games," said Nurković.
At the ceremony, Stefan Kovinić and Jovana Mrvaljević were declared the best juniors, while Matija Marković and Šejla Spahić were the best cadets.
A special award for the best result achieved in 2025 went to Nikola Gardašević, who placed seventh at the European Championships in Podgorica.
Based on the club rankings for 2025, Akademik from Nikšić was declared the most successful club. Ibar took second place, and Milenijum took third place.
The most successful competitors and clubs, by decision of the Board of Directors, were also awarded financially.
At the ceremony, a video was also shown, as a look back at 2025, in which the Judo Federation celebrated its 50th anniversary and organized the European Senior Championships.
The President of the Judo Federation, Jovica Rečević, said that sport is not measured only by medals and results, rankings and statistics, but also by the people who created it.
He recalled what was done in 2025, particularly emphasizing the European Championships and its importance for the popularization of judo and the promotion of Montenegro.
"This year was not an ordinary one, but a year in which we put the past aside and lived our present and responsibly planned the future. We marked 50 years of our association, which created generations of athletes, coaches and sports workers in modest conditions, but with great passion," said Rečević.
He emphasized that the Judo Federation is today recognized, respected and valued on the European and world judo map.
The Judo Federation thanked the sponsors and friends who helped the work of the association and the organization of the historic championship with special gifts.
Bonus video:
