Anđela Samardžić wins gold at European Judo Open Sarajevo 2023

(Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina representative Anđela Samardžić won a gold medal at the European Judo Open Sarajevo 2023, which began today in the capital of our country.

Samardžić achieved victory in the up to 57 kilograms category by defeating Austria's Lisa Grabner, thus confirming her excellent form.

- First of all, the feelings are even better because it's in front of my audience. My heart was truly full when I won the gold medal and looked at the stands, especially my parents and sister, and all those people who came to cheer.

The day was quite difficult, especially mentally, because I was the top seed and I can say that at least a medal was expected from me.

In the end, I am truly satisfied, I finished three matches with a maximum score and I am happy for the new points on the world ranking list for the Olympic Games - said Samardžić.

Anđela resolved the semi-final match quickly, with an ippon in just seven seconds.

- Regarding the ippon in the semi-final after seven seconds, I entered the match and just told myself to do your judo and you know the rest. My family in the stands gave me additional confidence, they were my extra wind in my back, especially my sister Aleksandra and her advice - said Samardžić after the victory.

Bronze medals in the category where the Bosnian and Herzegovinian judoka triumphed were won by Ophelie Vellozzi (France) and Romi Dori (Israel).

In the up to 48 kilograms category, Belgium's Ellen Salens won. She defeated Spanish judoka Gemma Maria Gomez Antona in the final. Bronze medals went to Helena Grau (Germany) and Lisa Dengg (Austria).

Croatian judoka Ana Viktorija Puljiz won a gold medal in the up to 52 kilograms competition, while the silver went to Leonie Gonzalez from France. The first of two bronze medals went around the neck of France's Lee Metrot, while the second was won by Hungary's Roza Gyertyas.

Melodie Turpin brought France gold in the up to 63 kilograms category, defeating Italy's Miriam Boi. Nadja Bazynski (Hungary) and Amanda Zuaznabar-Torres (Germany) won bronze.

In the competition of judokas up to 60 kilograms, Israeli competitors dominated. Yam Wolczak defeated his compatriot Lior Rafalov in the final, while Ariel Shulman also won bronze. The second bronze medal went to France's Jean Enzo.

Great Britain's Samuel Hall won gold in the up to 66 kilograms category in an interesting final match, defeating Islam Rahimov. Italians Giuseppe De Tullio and Biagio D’angelo won bronze medals.

Nariman Mirzayev from Azerbaijan was the best in the up to 73 kilograms category, and he achieved the brightest medal thanks to his victory over Switzerland's Naim Matt.

The European Judo Open Sarajevo 2023 continues tomorrow with competitions in the categories -70, -78, and +78 kg for women and -81, -90, -100, and +100 kg for men. The preliminary part of the second competition day starts at 11 AM.