International Judo Cup 'Vinko Šamarlić' in Sarajevo Today

(Patria) - The memory of former brilliant judoka Vinko Šamarlić of Željezničar does not fade, and his club will today, for the 33rd time, organize an international judo cup bearing the name of the hero of Sarajevo's defense.

Several hundred young judokas from our country and the region will demonstrate their skills on the tatami today in the "Goran Čengić" hall in Grbavica.

The organizers hope that this year's edition will surpass last year's Vinko Šamarlić Cup, which was attended by nearly 500 competitors.

- We strive to improve the organization of the "Vinko Šamarlić" International Judo Cup every year compared to the previous one. This is our obligation, primarily because of the name this competition proudly carries for years.

Our wish is for young judokas from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as from the region, to view this tournament with a special sense of prestige - said Amer Mehičević, director of the Željezničar Judo Club.

The Željezničar Judo Club points out that, in addition to numerous clubs from our country, clubs from Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey have also announced their participation.

Through the "Vinko Šamarlić" International Judo Cup, respect is paid and memory is preserved for a great human being, a man who, instead of competing in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, decided to stand in defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He was as spirited and fearless on the tatami as he was during combat missions. Had he not been, perhaps his life story would have been entirely different. As it is, it serves as a motivation for numerous young judokas today to reach his heights and the chivalry he displayed.

- The fact that this judo cup bears Vinko's name is a great responsibility for all of us at the Željezničar Judo Club, and we have been aware of this burden since the first tournament. That is why we strive to ensure that everything always goes smoothly, at a level that Vinko's name deserves.

I am proud that our young athletes will be among the competitors at this prestigious judo cup again this year - emphasized Jasmin Salihbegović, one of the coaches at JK Željezničar.

The official opening of the 33rd "Vinko Šamarlić" International Cup is scheduled for 10 AM, while the competition itself will begin half an hour later.

Thanks to the organizers, all interested individuals will be able to watch the matches from the "Vinko Šamarlić" International Cup live this year, via the JK Željezničar YouTube channel.