Neil MacDonald Shines at the 2026 Sarajevo Senior European Cup
The 2026 Sarajevo Senior European Cup proved to be a remarkable event for British judokas, culminating in a bronze medal victory for Neil MacDonald from Ipswich JC in the -66kg weight category. Despite facing an uphill battle after his initial loss in the round of 32, MacDonald showcased incredible determination and skill. He quickly bounced back through the repechage rounds, ultimately dominating his way to the bronze medal match. In a thrilling final bout, he initially fell behind, conceding a yuko within the first minute. However, demonstrating his resilience and tactical acumen, he turned the tide with two waza-ari scores, sealing his victory just two and a half minutes into the match. This achievement marks MacDonald's second bronze of the year, following his podium finish at the Casablanca African Open, and signifies his first European Cup medal since 2022.
Alongside MacDonald, Laurence Hill from Dragons Academy delivered an impressive performance in the -60kg category, finishing in 7th place. This marks Hill's highest achievement at a Senior European Cup, equating to his previous best at the Junior European Cup level. The 20-year-old athlete has been on a remarkable streak, having recently won gold at the Mandurah Junior Oceania Cup and securing 5th place at the Mandurah Oceania Open. His recent performances reflect a significant upward trajectory in his judo career.
Consistent Performances from the British Team
Other noteworthy performances from the British team included Cameron Charles from Camberley JC, who placed 5th in the -73kg division. Although he narrowly missed out on a medal, Charles has shown remarkable consistency, having secured bronze medals at both the Casablanca African Open and the Hong Kong Asian Open earlier this year. This latest performance marks his second-best finish at a European Cup, further establishing him as a competitor to watch.
Holly Devall, representing Dragons Academy, also made her mark by finishing 7th in the -70kg category during her first European Cup of 2026. Devall entered the competition with an impressive five-event podium streak, which includes multiple medals at various international competitions. While she fell short of the final block in Sarajevo, her ongoing form places her in a strong position for future competitions.
Lastly, Scott Cusack from Edinburgh Judo achieved 7th place in the -90kg category, marking his best performance of the year thus far. Despite facing tough competition that sent him into the repechage rounds, Cusack's determination shone through, although he was unable to progress to the medal match.
The performances of the British squad at the 2026 Sarajevo Senior European Cup reflect a strong commitment to excellence across multiple weight categories, further enhancing the reputation of British judo on the international stage. Congratulations to all competitors for their hard work and dedication!
As reported by britishjudo.org.uk.
