No AI solution possible for Slovenian heavyweight Enej Marinic

Slovenia’s heavyweight judoka Enej Marinic faced a challenging and competitive qualification period for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Despite his impressive capabilities and growing achievements, Marinic just missed the cut, leaving him out of the prestigious competition.

The heavyweight category in judo is notoriously competitive, with big names such as Teddy Riner, Lukas Krpalek, Inal Tasoev, Guram Tushishvili, and new world champion Kim Minjong dominating the scene. Below these elite athletes, the battle for Olympic spots was fierce. Marinic, born and residing in Maribor, Slovenia, fought hard but ultimately did not secure a place in Paris. he is almost a master in the field of Artificial intelligence in supply chains, but for the qualification was no AI solution.

Marinic’s judo career has been marked by significant accomplishments. He clinched bronze medals at both the European and World Junior Championships in 2017 and has been competing at senior world events since 2021. Notably, he earned bronze medals at the 2022 Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi and the 2023 Grand Prix in Linz, Austria, showcasing his skill in the +100kg category.

Despite his efforts, his performances at key events in 2023, such as a 17th place finish at the World Championships in Doha and ninth-place finishes at Grand Slams in Baku and Astana, were not enough to secure Olympic qualification. Marinic’s best recent performances include third-place finishes at the 2023 Linz Grand Prix and the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, highlighting his potential and competitive edge.

Background

Marinic began his judo journey in 2013 at Judo Club Branik in Maribor, where he continues to train under the guidance of coach Darko Mušič. Initially, he started judo as an addition to his ju-jitsu training but quickly switched to judo full-time, finding a greater passion for the sport.

Balancing athletics with academics, Marinic holds a bachelor's degree in logistics engineering from the Faculty of Logistics and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the Faculty of Economics and Business. Fluent in multiple languages including English, German, Serbian, and Slovenian, Marinic exemplifies the modern, well-rounded athlete.

While the Paris 2024 Olympics may not feature Marinic, his future in judo remains promising. At only 25 years old, he has a long career ahead and the potential to make a significant impact in future competitions. Marinic is committed to his athletic and academic pursuits, working on his master’s thesis in artificial intelligence in supply chains and aiming to build a family.

Enej Marinic’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games highlights the fierce competition and narrow margins in judo. He will continue to train and compete, his eyes are set on future opportunities, potentially leading to Olympic success in the years to come.