In 2025, during an interview with the EJU, Novo Raičević made a promise: in 2026, he would win gold at the Podgorica Senior European Cup. After taking bronze in 2024 and silver in 2025, the words felt less like ambition and more like a natural next step. On 8 March, after four hard-fought contests, that promise finally turned to gold.
Raičević looks back on the moment with clear delight:
“I won bronze here in 2024, silver in 2025 and after that silver medal I said in my interview with the EJU that next year I wanted only gold. I am very happy that I managed to achieve that goal today. I had four tough fights against very strong opponents but this time the motivation was really on my side.”
His road to the -90kg title was far from simple. In the opening round, the Montenegrin judoka faced Borislav Vladov (BUL) and took full control of the contest. A waza-ari gave him the lead, followed by a yuko, while three penalties mounted against the Bulgarian opponent. The message was clear: Raičević was firmly in command. Next came Shamil Gadzhiev (RUS), a bout that tested the home favourite’s resolve. A narrow yuko advantage proved enough to carry Raičević forward. The semi-final followed a similar script, another tight contest decided by a single yuko against Dawid Szulik (POL).
One final hurdle remained between promise and fulfilment: teammate Stevan Nikčević. The crowd was guaranteed a Montenegrin victory but Raičević still had a promise to keep. It took less than a minute. Demonstrating sharp ne-waza instincts, he secured a decisive kami-shiho-gatame and sealed the gold medal with authority.
Despite the triumph, Raičević remained humble: “I would also like to congratulate my opponent in the final, a young fighter from Montenegro, on his medal. He is definitely part of the future of Montenegrin judo.”
Yet there is another layer to this story. The gold medal was won on almost no sleep. Much has been said in recent years about mothers returning to elite sport, and rightly so. Less often discussed are the fathers navigating sleepless nights while continuing to compete at the highest level. Raičević stepped into that role just one month ago.
“One month ago I became the father of twins, Dunja and Aleksej and over the weekend I fought for them. This was the first time I competed as a father and I am very happy that I managed to bring the gold medal home for them.”
When asked how his sleep had been ahead of the event, Raičević laughed as if the question belonged on another planet.
“Sleep? There is no sleep at all.”
Raičević is already entered for next weekend’s Warsaw European Open, where the journey continues. However, for today, in Podgorica, he carries two titles with pride: father and champion.
Author: Szandra Szogedi