Larisa Cerić qualifies for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio

One of the strongest judo competitions, the Masters, which brings together the 16 best male and female judokas in the world, was held in Guadalajara, Mexico, reports the Patria news agency.

In the strongest competition, Larisa Cerić achieved one of the best sporting results ever for Bosnian-Herzegovinian sports with phenomenal fights.

In her usual category of +78kg, she fascinated everyone present with her outstanding performance. She had a bye in the first round, and in the second round she was more successful than the favored and higher-ranked South Korean Kim Minjeong.

In the third round, in nuances that only the main referee on the tatami registered that day, she was defeated by the first Japanese seed, fifth-ranked on the world ranking list, Yamabe Kanae. In the continuation of the competition, she confirmed her phenomenal form of the day in a match with the outstanding Dutchwoman Savelkouls Tessie.

She fought for the biggest medal so far, the bronze from the Masters tournament of the best female judokas on the planet, against Tunisian Cheikh Rouhou Nihel. This most important match was decided with a maximum result of 10:0, after which she was euphorically rewarded with ovations from the objective Mexican audience, as well as applause from officials of the International Judo Federation.

In the best possible way, Larisa Cerić finished this last and one of the biggest competitions in judo, the Masters Guadalajara 2016, which also awarded points for the Olympic qualification.

With this competition, Cerić concluded two years of appearances at the biggest international competitions and the path to the Olympic qualification, achieving it in the best possible way, with third place, i.e., a bronze medal from the big Masters tournament, winning 280 new points.

-I feel phenomenal, I have been waiting for this medal and the end of the qualifications for a long time. I am happy because I have fulfilled my biggest dream, which is to qualify for the Olympic Games. I would most like to thank my coaches Prof. Dr. Branislav Crnogorac and Arijana Jaha, as well as my family and friends who are always with me and support me, said Cerić.

Larisa with journalists in Sarajevo on Thursday

A press conference at which Larisa Cerić, Branislav Crnogorac and the general secretary of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arijana Jaha, will speak will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the premises of USD Bosna in Sarajevo.