Bosnian judoka Aleksandra Samardzic ready to prolong title in Sarajevo

18-Year old judoka Aleksandra Samardzic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is highly motivated to fight in front of her spectators and capture her third consecutive title at the European Open this weekend in Sarajevo. The host city of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games is heating up for the Judo European Cup. Sarajevo that organised the World Cadet Championships last year in August, will host their annual European Cup for Seniors this weekend.

Samardzic: “Last two times I won gold in the U70kg category here in Sarajevo, so this year as well I’m expecting nothing less than gold again. I will try to do my best and at the end I hope that the best result will be the outcome.”

“The Home crowd is a big support for each athlete and in this case also for all of us in Sarajevo. I hope so that we will not disappoint our home fans and I’m really looking forward to repeat previous year of success of our national team.”  Samardzic was the youngest winner of a European Cup ever, at the age of 15.

This weekend in Sarajevo 255 athletes from 23 nations will gather. The biggest team will be the team of Turkey which 53 athletes to Bosnia Herzegovina. The former Sarajevo Open, now European Cup of Sarajevo is held since 2006. Olympians such as Barna Bor (HUN), Ivan Nifontov (RUS) and Olympic Champion Tagir Khaibulaev competed and won in Sarajevo.

Also Samardzic' compatriot and friend Larisa Ceric will fight and she can win a record of 6 victories in her capital. Her category consists of 11 athletes. Samardzich will have to be the best in a field of 15 players U78kg in her new weight class.