She may not have returned to Tatami, but Slovenian native Andreja Leschi, the 2024 -63kg Olympic champion, has not been able to move away from her country’s first European opening. Ljubljana will be the host city to debut the 2025 Continental Open, and so far more than 400 athletes from around the world, as well as many spectators and several huge fans, have seen judo for the first time.

It’s really hard to explain it all, but it’s really a lifelong dream come true. Especially today, I’m here and I can celebrate this. I think it’s very important in the club town at the level of open Europe. It is very important to promote Slovenian judo. Furthermore, this is a good step since it deserves much more attention domestically than it gets.
Some countries won medals during the Olympics, but Slovenia only won three. Two gold and one silver. The second came with women’s sports climbing (Jean Jaguarn Bullet) and men’s sailing silver (Tonivo Diesek), but today we celebrated Leschi’s first gold medal.
At the opening ceremony, Leski was awarded the Parisiolmín plaque by Vice President Ivan Todorov along with his coach, club president and national federation president.
For the first time since the Olympic Games, athletes stood to hear the Slovenian national anthem following their presentation in Ljubljana, and one thing they couldn’t miss was the overflowing of Leschi’s face, pride and pride and memories. did. Paris 2024.

When I get there in my head I’m proud of myself and my team. Even now I can’t believe it. It’s like a mosaic of not just the last two years, but all the little moments that make up a masterpiece. When I hear the national anthem and sing loudly and proudly, it really brings me back! I also loved how proud people were. I brought so many people so much joy. Today was special. I can get feedback from the game and it makes people feel like how they recognize me, and not just for my judo, but for my positivity, I am truly extroverted and happy And I’m positive. .
There is no argument that Lesky is one of his most positive competitors and finds a silver lining in everything. So he followed in the -63kg footsteps of Urskazornir Jugobal and Tina Torstenjack when Talk surrounded her as he became Olympic champion. For her, she actually had a special way to see it,
It was a lot of pressure, but somehow you shouldn’t focus on it, people said I was wearing this heavy backpack, but I made it my jetpack I call it!



Leski took this power away and saw her until the final block of the Olympic Games. At the Olympics, athletes barely play between the semi-finals and the ultimate final to win Olympic Gold.
I really had to settle down, that was a competitive breakpoint for me. We were used to playing one fight in the final block and felt like a surprise, so it was a special situation! I didn’t think much about this part beforehand. Then I was in a small space with my coach and he was explaining some tactics so I stopped him and said I was zoning and he had to repeat everything. I wasn’t there, I really need to focus.
At one of the most populous Olympic training camps in Mittatal, the training hall flocked with athletes who could win Olympic medals, and then discussed the possibility of a gold medal with Lesky, champions in the 63kg category. To become, she can refer to her national coat of arms and now she has become the third point of Triglav.

Back at Slovenia’s first European opening, she was able to meet her fans and speak to many young volunteers who were eager to meet their heroes.
I think it would be great to have the European Open here, so I think a lot of people have come to support athletes. I think it’s great that people can see it live. Not everyone can afford to travel around Europe or the world and chase us, so I think judo has to become a national sport one day.
People always ask me, it’s not too much, but I see it as another point of confirmation. I’m glad that people are brave enough to come and talk to me and spend time with me, I like it. This event was amazing and continues from here as it is now open in the capital!

JJJ
judo
Andreja Leski
Author: Thea Cowen
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