Author: Mario Krvavac
The opening day of the European Senior Cup Dubrovnik 2026 delivered a moment of pride for the host nation, with the Croatian anthem ringing out in Gospino polje and a collective medal haul that reflected both depth and promise. Five podium finishes, one gold, two silvers and two bronzes, placed Croatia firmly at the centre of attention on home soil.
At the heart of the celebrations stood Karla Kulić, who brought the crowd to its feet in the -78kg category. The Split native navigated a demanding draw with authority, overcoming both Turkish and domestic opposition along the way. Her semi-final against compatriot Petrunjela Pavić proved particularly testing, requiring composure and tactical clarity to advance.
In the final, Kulić delivered with conviction, defeating Lebanon’s Aqulina Chayeb to secure gold. Having recently moved categories, she appeared composed throughout the day, translating that sense of freedom into a decisive performance when it mattered most. The victory, however, carried additional weight given the challenge posed by her teammate earlier in the competition.
Pavić, meanwhile, ensured Dubrovnik had further reason to celebrate. In the bronze medal contest, she produced a strong display against Türkiye’s Sila Korkmaz, sealing her place on the podium. The result resonated beyond the tatami, adding to the significance of a landmark year for Judo Club Dubrovnik 1966 as it marks its 60th anniversary. For many present, the moment also served as a tribute to the club’s founder, Croatian and European judo figure Andrija Habulin, whose legacy continues to shape generations of athletes.
The Cvjetko sisters added a compelling narrative of their own. Nina Cvjetko surged to the -63kg final with confident victories over Morocco’s Maillys Lylia Zihri and Switzerland’s Chiara Friden, before an emphatic ippon win against Türkiye’s Ezgi Karademir in the semi-final. In the gold medal contest, she met another Turkish opponent, Habibe Ciloglu, who ultimately claimed victory.
“The day didn’t end the best but I am happy to have reached the final, especially since this is my second weekend in a row in the European Cup final. We still have things to improve, and the opportunity to show that will be after Easter at the European Cup in Sarajevo,” said silver medallist Cvjetko.
Her sister Jana ensured the family would not leave without a second medal. Competing in the -70kg category, she secured bronze after a tightly contested battle with Türkiye’s Sumeyye Kaya, finding the decisive ippon early in golden score following a strong gripping exchange.
In the -66kg category, Dani Klačar came close to adding a gold to Croatia’s tally. After a solid run through the draw, including a notable semi-final victory over Kazakhstan’s Kanat Seilkhan, he stepped into the final against Israel’s Guy Gutman. The contest ultimately went the way of the Israeli judoka, who produced a clean ippon to take the title, leaving Klačar with silver.
“I am happy and sad at the same time. After last week’s bronze in Latvia, now a silver, a great streak but still, I ended the day with a loss, so I know it could have been better,” Klačar said honestly.
With one day complete, Croatia has already stamped its presence on the tournament, combining individual success with a strong sense of collective momentum. Attention now turns to the second day of competition, where the hosts will look to build on this impressive start. Action resumes on Sunday morning at 09:00 in Gospino polje, with all contests available live on JudoTV.
Author: EJU Media