Sadiku’s Medal Highlights Montenegro’s Judo Progress

Stevan Sadiku gave Montenegro a major moment at the Junior European Judo Championships Podgorica 2026, winning a medal for the host nation on day two. His performance carried special meaning for Dr Suad Sabanovic, the event’s Head of Organisation, whose long-term work has focused on bringing more international judo to Montenegro.

Sabanovic spoke on the Hajime Show on the third morning of the championships and praised Sadiku’s run through the competition. He highlighted the judoka’s performances from contest to contest, particularly in the semi-final and final, describing the host team’s happiness as overwhelming.

The result was not just a celebration of one athlete’s achievement. For Montenegro, it also reflected a wider plan to create more opportunities for its judoka at home. Before hosting the Junior European Judo Championships, Podgorica staged a Junior European Cup and later a Senior European Cup.

The aim was to help Montenegrin athletes, especially younger judoka, gain access to high-level international competition without repeatedly facing the financial and logistical demands of travelling abroad. Hosting events also allowed local athletes to see leading judoka on the tatami and compete alongside them.

Sabanovic believes that exposure is now making a difference. In his view, Montenegrin judoka have improved year by year, with Sadiku’s medal offering the clearest example so far during these championships.

Sadiku’s result gave young Montenegrin judoka a powerful reminder that progress can lead to podium moments.

For the home crowd in Podgorica, the medal added another layer to the Junior European Judo Championships. It showed how hosting can support more than an event itself: it can create a stage for the next generation of local athletes to test themselves against Europe’s best.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union