The two-day international judo tournament ‘Sarajevo European Open 2026’ has started in the technical organization of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it will gather top judo players from 35 countries.
‘Sarajevo Open 2026’ is the fourth international tournament for which the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the technical organizer, which once again confirms the trust that the national federation enjoys in the European Judo Union. This tournament within the European Judo Tour is scored for the world ranking list, and later for the Olympic ranking list.
“From competition to competition, the technical organization of which is entrusted to us by EJU, we strive to justify the trust shown and organize the tournament in the best possible way. Of course, in addition to that, we always strive to show maximum hospitality to all participants, which is why many of them return again and again to the mats in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” says Arijana Jaha, secretary general of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the two competition days, the audience and fans of martial arts will have the opportunity to watch attractive fights in men’s and women’s competition. Among the 300 participants, four female judokas and 13 judokas will defend the colors of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For Aleksandra and Anđela Samardžić, Johanna Elisabeth Klinger, Tonij Miletić and Mustafa Hebib, the performance in front of the home audience will be an opportunity to additionally hone their form before the upcoming Mediterranean Games, which are to be held in Italy, from August 21 to September 3.
“Competition at the European Open tournaments is always extremely high-quality, and these competitions are the best opportunity to check your form and win important points. Each performance is a new challenge and an additional motivation to achieve the best possible result,” emphasized Miletić, who will fight in the category up to 90 kilograms, and his national team colleague Božidar Vučurević will also compete in the same competition.
The organization of events like the European Open is not only important for the development of judo sport, but also for the promotion of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the international scene.
“It is a great honor for us that Sarajevo will once again host the European Open, one of the most important tournaments in the EJU calendar. We are particularly impressed that the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been recognized for years as an organizer that can meet the highest technical standards. I am sure that two days of top judo, excellent fights and a sporting atmosphere await us, and I am convinced that our national team members will have an additional motivation to present themselves in the best light in front of the home audience,” said Branislav Crnogorac, director of development at the European Judo Union.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will host two more large judo competitions at the end of September this year. The World Veteran Championship will be held from September 20 to 24, and the World Floor Championship on September 26 and 27.
