Brigita Matic demands gold at European Cup in Dubrovnik

Brigita Matic is the top athlete for Croatia at the European Cup for seniors in the beautiful city of Dubrovnik. The younger sister of Barbara is Croatian champion and World Junior champion U78kg. Barbara Matic will not fight due to a shoulder injury and she would be supposed to fight in Samsun anyway where three Croatians will be fighting. Still a strong team left in Dubrovnik with medal chances for Brigita Matic in a small field.

Matic: “It’s always a pleasure to come in Dubrovnik. This will be good preparation for the tournament’s later in the season as well for the Europeans in Russia. Of course as a current World Champion I would like to catch a medal in Dubrovnik, but the goal is always gold medal.”

Other medal contenders for Croatia are Topolovec, Sikic, Kovac, Kokeza, Blagojevic, the last three in a juicy category U63kg. Further more Karla Prodan and Ivana Sutalo as the major names from Croatia. Three ladies are fighting in Samsun: Miskovic, Dakovic and Maranic. The best male judoka of Croatia, Zlatko Kumric is also injured on his knee and he will need all the points to qualify U100kg. Also last year’s winner Andreja Bekic will not defend her title due to a knee injury.

Silver U23 European medalist from Dubrovnik heavyweight Ivana Šutalo: “It’s really special to fight in my home town in front of my fans. Last year I won silver but this year I want gold and nothing less than that!”

Interesting is to see one of the world’s best fighters of the previous Olympic cycle in Dubrovnik. The former World number one U66kg and 2012 European Champion Alim Gadanov of Russia will be in action, now fighting U73kg category. With his 32 years he still one of the most appealing characters in Dubrovnik.

Besides the European Cup in Dubrovnik, the Croatian Judo Federation hosted the Cadet European Cup in March, while later in June the Judo Festival in Croatia will take place. In September the Grand of Zagreb is scheduled.