The opening day of the Skopje Senior European Judo Cup delivered an electrifying start to the tournament, with Serbian judoka Jelena Nisavić clinching gold in the -63kg category. The competition, which began on Saturday, 20 September 2025, showcased numerous thrilling bouts but it was Nisavić’s commanding performance that stood out as the highlight of the event.
Jelena Nisavić’s Golden Triumph
Nisavić, a rising star on the European circuit, demonstrated both world-class technique and mental resilience throughout the day. After a series of well-structured rounds, she capped her campaign with a confident victory in the final, cementing her position among the division’s leading contenders.
In her opening contest, the Serbian judoka dispatched her opponent with a swift ippon in the second minute, displaying remarkable precision and balance. A more challenging bout followed against a seasoned Norwegian competitor, yet Nisavić’s tactical awareness and relentless pace earned her a waza-ari, maintaining control from start to finish.
The final pitted her against a powerful German judoka renowned for her aggressive style. Remaining composed under pressure, Nisavić dominated the gripping exchanges and, in golden score, executed a superb counter throw to claim victory.
Reflecting on her success, she remarked: “This win is a big step for me but I know I can always be better. Every match is a chance to learn and now the focus is the Junior World Championships.”
Sister Act: Nikolina Nisavić Joins the Podium
The Serbian celebration continued on the second day as Nikolina Nisavić, Jelena’s sister, secured gold in the -52kg category. Making her return to competition, she delivered an inspired performance across all aspects of her judo, from gripping to ashi-waza and ne-waza.
Overjoyed with her success, she shared: “It was my first competition after a while, and I am so happy because I managed my weight well and won gold. I had the best performance in all aspects of my judo today.”
Her pride extended beyond her own achievement: “I can say that I am more happy for her (Jelena’s) medal than for mine. She is such a good judoka, and she had never won a Senior European Cup before. This gives me even more motivation.”
Looking ahead, Nikolina outlined her plans: “My next step is the Grand Prix in Lima, Peru, and this medal gives me the chance to compete in the U23 European Championships in Chișinău, Moldova. In Lima, my sister will compete again before me, and I hope she does well, that will give me extra strength to aim for my first Grand Prix medal.”
Skopje’s Successful Hosting
The Skopje Senior European Judo Cup also marked a fitting conclusion to a remarkable year of high-level judo events hosted in North Macedonia. Mr. Vladimir Trpanoski, the President of the national judo federation expressed pride in the success of the competition:
“We are proud to have gained your trust to host this spectacular event and for the Republic of North Macedonia to once again demonstrate hospitality to over 260 judokas from 31 countries. The atmosphere in Skopje has been excellent, and we hope the organisation remains at a high level, leaving great impressions for all competitors. The best among them will go home with medals from Skopje.”
Author: National Judo Federation of North Macedonia
Author: EJU Media