Sarajevo’s next wave: young judoka, big lessons, and a home gold

Day two of the Sarajevo Judo Hopes Tournament 2026 brought the young talents of Europe back onto the tatami with fresh legs and even fresher ambition. Inside the Arena Hills Sports Hall, the crowd got another full dose of developing skill and real competitive nerve. It’s the kind of event where you can almost feel the future of judo taking shape.

The second day kept Sarajevo loud, fast, and full of promise.

For the host nation, the highlights kept coming. Adna Lukač, representing Judo Club Braća Lukač, captured a new gold medal for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was also the second gold for her club at this tournament, a result that helped Braća Lukač finish third in the overall club standings with two gold and three silver medals.

At the top of the general ranking, Partizan Belgrade from Serbia claimed first place. KBBKSK from Türkiye followed in second. The medal table underlined something important for European judo: the depth is real, and strong performances are coming from many corners of the continent.

But Sarajevo’s value wasn’t limited to podium moments. The tournament also served as a serious learning platform for young Bosnian referees, giving them experience in a high-level setting held under the auspices of the European Judo Union. Those opportunities matter, because tomorrow’s big finals need confident officials just as much as they need brave athletes.

Behind the scenes, the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina once again proved its reputation as an excellent technical organiser. And the calendar ahead looks demanding: the European Kata Championships arrive in mid-May, while the World Veterans Championships and the World Veterans Kata Championships are set for the end of September. Add the European Cup for Seniors (30–31 May) and the European Open (18–19 July), and it’s clear Sarajevo is locking in its place on the international judo stage.

Source: EJU_News