She won’t be again on the tatami competing, however the 2024 -63kg Olympic Champion, Andreja LESKI from Slovenia couldn’t be avoided the primary ever European Open in her nation. Ljubljana grew to become the host metropolis to debut the continental open of 2025 and to this point it has welcomed over 400 athletes from all over the world in addition to plenty of spectators, some enormous followers and others seeing judo for the primary time.
It’s actually onerous to explain all of it, however it’s actually only a fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Right now particularly, I’m right here and we are able to rejoice this, and in my golf equipment’ city, with the extent of the European Open which I believe is essential. It’s so vital that Slovenian judo be promoted, much more throughout the nation, it deserves a lot extra consideration than it will get so it is a good step.
Some international locations acquire medals throughout the Olympic Video games, however Slovenia attained solely three; two gold and one silver. The second got here within the girls’s sport climbing (Janja GARNBRET) and the silver in males’s crusing (Toni VODISEK), however at present we celebrated the primary gold medal from Leski.
In the course of the opening ceremony, Leski, alongside together with her coach, membership president and nationwide federation president, was awarded with the Paris Olympic plaque by Vice President, Dr Ivan TODOROV.
For the primary time because the Olympic Video games, athletes stood to listen to the nationwide anthem of Slovenia following the presentation in Ljubljana and one factor that couldn’t be missed, was the massive smile on Leski’s face, the satisfaction and the reminiscences flooding again in from Paris 2024.
Once I get there in my thoughts, I’m happy with myself and my group, even now I nonetheless can’t imagine it, how a lot time, what number of hours went in to this preparation. Not solely the final two years, however it’s like a mosaic of all of the little moments that made up the masterpiece. Listening to the anthem, it actually simply takes me again, after I loudly and proudly sang it on high of the rostrum! I additionally cherished how proud folks have been of me, I introduced a lot pleasure to so many individuals and at present was particular, listening to it once more. It makes me blissful to get suggestions from the Video games, the way it made folks really feel and that they recognise me, not just for my judo however for my positivity, I actually am so extroverted and blissful and constructive, and I’m glad this got here by means of.
There isn’t any argument that Leski is likely one of the most constructive opponents and finds the silver lining to every part, so when speak surrounded her of changing into an Olympic Champion, following within the -63kg footsteps of Urska ZOLNIR JUGOVAR and Tina TRSTENJAK, it was by no means detrimental to her, in actual fact she had a particular approach of seeing it,
It was quite a lot of stress however in some way you shouldn’t concentrate on it, however folks used to say that I used to be sporting this heavy backpack, however I name it my jetpack!
Leski took this energy and it noticed her by means of to the ultimate block of the Olympic Video games which performs out in a different way to our typical arrange. Within the Olympics, the athletes have little or no flip round between their semi remaining, and supreme remaining to take an Olympic gold,
I actually needed to calm myself down, it was a break level of the competitors for me. It was a particular state of affairs as a result of we’re solely used to having one combat within the remaining block and it felt like a shock! I didn’t put a lot thought in to this half beforehand. Then I used to be in a small area with my coach and he was explaining some ways and I needed to cease him and say I used to be zoning out, he needed to repeat every part, I used to be not there, I actually need to refocus.
Earlier in 2024, throughout one essentially the most populated Olympic Coaching Camps in Mittersill, the coaching corridor was swarming with athletes able to taking the Olympic medal, and when discussing the gold medal potential with Leski round that point, to change into the third girl within the -63kg class to change into Champion, she referenced her nationwide emblem, and now can verify that she grew to become the third level of the Triglav.
Again to current day and the primary ever European Open in Slovenia, she was in a position to see her followers and converse to most of the younger volunteers who have been determined to fulfill their hero.
I believe having the European Open right here is nice, so many individuals have come to help our athletes, on one hand, I believe we had large expectations and we had quite a lot of hope, however we nonetheless had two athletes within the remaining block. I believe it’s nice that individuals can come and watch it stay, not everybody can afford to journey and observe us round Europe and the world, so I believe judo has to change into a nationwide sport at some point and I really assume that is doable.
Folks ask me on a regular basis, isn’t it an excessive amount of, however I see it as one other level of affirmation. I’m blissful that individuals are courageous sufficient to return and speak to me and spend time with me, I prefer it. Right here on this occasion it has been wonderful and now that we have now this Open within the capital, we’re happening up from right here!
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Judoka
Andreja Leski
Writer: Thea Cowen
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