Three victories at the Lausanne Jewish Community

Slovenian judoka Evguenia Gajic and Igor Tsurkan secured three victories at the Grand Slam in Lausanne, marking a successful week for the national team competing in multiple international tournaments. While much of the Slovenian delegation participated in the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, several athletes also competed at the Grand Slam in Lausanne, with Gajic and Tsurkan emerging victorious. Gajic, representing Slovenia in the -70 kg category, advanced past the opening round before defeating Israeli competitor Mayo Kogan. She faced German judoka Giovanna Scoccimarro, who had previously won silver at the 2023 World Championships in Doha. Despite her experience, Scoccimarro proved too strong for Gajic, who was considered a promising young talent from Korosko. Meanwhile, Ljubljana-based judoka Kaja Schuster lost her opening bout to Turkish athlete Fidan Ogel in the same weight class. Tsurkan, competing in the men's -81 kg category, claimed two wins. He defeated Romanian Adrian Sulco and bronze medalist Abubakar Sherov from Tajikistan. In the quarterfinals, he was overcome by the reigning champion from Tashkent, Azeri wrestler Omar Rajabli. Tsurkan’s performance added to the momentum of the Slovenian judo team, which has been steadily improving its standing on the international stage. The results from Lausanne come just days after the team’s participation in the Mediterranean Games, where they showcased their skills against some of Europe’s top judokas. The upcoming Grand Slam in Budapest will provide another opportunity for the athletes to gain valuable experience ahead of the October World Championships in Azerbaijan. This series of competitions serves as a crucial preparation phase for the Slovenian judo team, allowing them to test their form under competitive conditions. The upcoming Grand Slam in Budapest is set to take place within the next 14 days, offering the athletes a chance to refine their techniques and strategies. It also functions as a preparatory event for the World Championships, giving competitors a realistic preview of the challenges they might face in Baku. For many of the Slovenian judokas, these events represent a stepping stone toward achieving higher levels of success on the global judo circuit. The performances of Gajic and Tsurkan highlight the growing strength of Slovenian judo, particularly among younger athletes. Their successes reflect the investment in training programs and coaching support that have helped elevate the nation’s presence in international judo competitions. As the season progresses, continued success in such high-profile events will likely play a key role in securing better placements and recognition for Slovenia in future world rankings and major championships.