Gold in the Golden City

The mats in Sarajevo shook with the weight of destiny on May 31, 2026. Bulgaria did not just participate in the European Cup; they conquered it. The federation confirmed the double medal haul, a testament to grit, technique, and sheer will. In a tournament featuring 249 athletes from 21 nations, the Bulgarian contingent stood tall, proving that size is no match for spirit.

Grigorov’s Historic Triumph

Lyuboslav Grigorov entered the 60kg bracket as a contender and left as a champion. This was his first title at this elite level, and he carved his path with surgical precision. The opening round saw him outlast Kaira Uygar of the Netherlands after three warnings. He followed that with a decisive win over fellow Dutchman Jason Wong. But the final was a war. Against Turkey’s Emrhan Karahan, Grigorov endured three warnings of his own. The match stretched into golden score, lasting 7 minutes and 47 seconds of pure tension. When the referee’s whistle finally blew, Grigorov stood alone at the summit.

Simeonov Secures Bronze

In the same 60kg category, Ivan Simeonov fought his way to the podium. His journey was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, including a loss to finalist Karahan earlier in the tournament. Yet, in the bronze medal match, Simeonov found his focus. He defeated Hungary’s Adam Vico, securing Bulgaria’s second medal of the competition. Meanwhile, Densislav Ivanov placed seventh in the 73kg division, adding depth to a memorable day for Bulgarian judo.

COMMENT: Григоров го заслужи напълно, мачът с турчина беше луд имо. Символично е че взе бронза също, стабилна игра от двамата.