Nika Koren made her return from injury in the best possible way – by winning the European Senior Cup in Podgorica. The 22-year-old Slovenian began her successful day in the round of 16, where she first defeated her Croatian opponent with a throw and then with a hold-down. In the quarter-finals, she once again won with a hold-down against Sweden’s Maya Ribeiro Novais, and she confirmed her excellent groundwork in the semi-finals, where Russia’s Anna Gadomskaia also fell to a hold-down by the Slovenian.

In the final, Nika faced Italy’s Matilde Tagliabue, who is one year older, and was the more active fighter from the very beginning. The Italian resisted well until the final minute, when Koren finally scored the decisive throw for yuko, which secured her the victory and first medal at the European Senior Cup competition.

Her success was complemented by Tara Janjić, who finished third in the over-78kg category. On her way to bronze, she defeated the experienced Croatian Ivana Maranić and Montenegro’s Andrea Turcinović, with her only loss coming in the semi-finals against Russia’s Kira Safonova.

For the 21-year-old Slovenian, this is her second medal at European Senior Cups; she also won her first in Podgorica in 2024.

On the opening day of competition in Podgorica, Neža Mesiček also competed and finished ninth in the under-63kg category, while Gašper Kokalj ended his campaign in the under-66kg category in the repechage.

On the second day of competition, Marko Vrhovnik also competed and, after losing in the round of 16 in the under-100 kg category, was left without a repechage opportunity. Maša Slavinec finished seventh in the under-57 kg category with one win and two losses, while Ana Škrabl, with the same record in the same category, placed fifth.