Nemanja Majdov cannot defend European title

Last year Nemanja Majdov became the first male Serbian European Champion of his country ever. But it’s a bumpy road towards the top and the young Serbian is discovering the valleys of his life as judoka. On his way to the next hill, he will have to be patient this time and cannot defend his title this week at the European Junior Championships.

"Yes, unfortunately I won’t fight in Oberwart. I am still injured. My two of three broken ligaments are okay, but one is still broken and can’t risk my career so young for 'nothing' what I can win in the future as senior. In March I had that really serious injury and for three months. Maybe I was back too fast and fighting in Baku and GP Mongolia, and the knee was on 90% but I had fear in head and both I lost on shidos for passivity. Then 20 days later I went to the Junior Training camp in Paks and I felt so good. My knee was fantastic in three days and I did 40 randori and won everything and in the last fight of the TC in the last 20 seconds I tried tai o-toshi and I broke again my medial ligament  and I went to the World Championships in Astana because of the valuable points in the hope to get a good draw and get some points for Rio, but I wasn’t lucky and had the same problem. I lost on shido for passivity because I couldn’t do any big attack, couldn’t do Ne-waza or drop techniques. I thought I hope for the European Junior Championships in 20 days but last week I decided that it’s better to recover and then go to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Although if I won’t be fully recovered I will also cancel the World Championships. Of course I will also not fight at the European Cup in Belgrade in 10 days.

If I take too much risk, I’m out of judo for 6 months and losing the chances for Rio. I started well, I beat Wang Ki-Chun in Düsseldorf when I was still fit, ha ha. So I don’t have to fear for anyone. I really know what are my goals and I have a big determination. There’s only judo in my head, I am fully focused." 

"Of course I regret not to go to Oberwart, the heart tells me yes, the brain tells me no. It’s my title and I want to defend it. It belongs to me and my family and I even dreamed to defend my title… I dream a lot…haha so I beat Riner in my dreams as well, hahaha. But really, my heart wants to go fast, but my body now says no, and I’m afraid I will have to listen to my body now. Last year I was with Pantano and Gercsak the youngest European Champion in Bucharest, so it’s not my last year. I wish everybody success in Oberwart, and be sure I will be back stronger than ever." 

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