Mina Gačić Wins Gold at Junior European Cup, Leading Serbia's Five-Medal Haul

The Crvena zvezda judoka defeated her Canadian opponent in the under-52 kg final, while Serbia collected five medals overall at the competition in Paks, Hungary.

Paks, Hungary – July 13, 2026: Serbian judo continues to produce promising results on the international junior stage. At the Junior European Cup held this weekend in the Hungarian city of Paks, Serbia's young judokas delivered an impressive performance, winning a total of five medals, including a gold for Mina Gačić in the under-52 kg category.

Gačić, a member of Crvena zvezda, claimed the most valuable medal of the tournament for Serbia. In the final, she defeated Rima Burihane of Canada with a 2-0 victory, securing two yuko scores after four minutes of competition. Her performance throughout the tournament was marked by technical precision and composure, qualities that have made her one of the most promising young judokas in the country.

The first day of competition saw Serbia secure two bronze medals. Marko Jorgić and Veljko Simić both reached the podium in the under-66 kg category, demonstrating the depth of talent in the Serbian junior squad. Their performances set the tone for the team's successful campaign.

The second day brought further success. In addition to Gačić's gold, Natalija Prolić of Partizan Belgrade claimed silver in the under-48 kg category. Prolić reached the final with two victories but was defeated by Russia's Sofia Zakharova, who won by ippon after 3:59 minutes of competition. Despite the loss in the final, Prolić's silver medal adds to Serbia's growing reputation in the lighter weight categories.

The other bronze medal of the tournament was won by Dušan Grahovac of Crvena zvezda in the under-81 kg category. In the bronze medal match, he defeated Canada's Artem Neyolov with an ippon after 3:21 minutes. Grahovac fought a total of five bouts during the tournament and recorded four victories, a consistent performance that highlighted his potential.

There were near-misses for other Serbian competitors. Nemanja Simić (under 100 kg) and Mateja Borojević (over 100 kg) both lost their bronze medal matches, finishing in fifth place. Petar Novaković (over 100 kg) placed seventh. While they fell short of the podium, their performances suggest that Serbia has depth across multiple weight categories.

The five-medal haul in Paks is the latest indication that Serbian judo is in a strong position at the junior level. The results in Hungary will provide additional motivation for the country's young athletes as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the European Junior Championships and other international competitions. For Gačić, the gold medal represents a significant step in her development, and she will be one to watch in the coming years.