Interview with Rasa Sraka

Avtor: Barnaby Chesterman
Datum: 18. 05. 2003
For all the successes and achievements at the European Championships in Dusseldorf, one stood out head and shoulders above the rest - Slovenia's Rasa Sraka won her country's first European title. And the humble under 70kg fighter who had already enjoyed exceptional success in the A tournaments this year admitted to feeling overwhelmed by it all. Even a bronze medal last year and victories at the Sophia and Minsk A tournaments did not prepare her for this.

"I will be in the history of Slovenian Judo because I won the European Championships - I can't believe it, I am overwhelmed," she said. "The first fight for me is always difficult and I was nervous at first but after that I took each fight as it came. All this year I have been coming back from an injury I sustained in December at Fukuoka. I can't believe the result I got. I knew I could be somewhere, maybe fifth place, but I wasn't as prepared as I wanted to be. But sometimes that's for the best and it helps because you are more relaxed."

"That is judo - everything is possible. You can go out in the first round and not even have the repechage. It is so hard and there are so many fighters who can get medals. You are just hoping it will be a good day for you. But it also depends on the draw.

"It has been a remarkable rise for the Slovenian women's team. Urska Zolnir became the first European Junior medallist in 2000 and then last year Petra Nareks and Sraka became the first senior medallists. But now Sraka has struck gold she feels that the progression of Slovenian judo has been gradual. "You can see step by step that we have done better since 1996. I think it is down to hard work mostly, and desire.

"Now Sraka is looking forward to the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, in September, and pitting her wits against the best fighters in the world. The European scene may be strong but the Olympic champion is Cuba's Sibelis Veranes and the World champion comes from Japan, Masae Ueno. "There are a few fighters who are really strong. Maybe the Cubans and Japanese are the strongest but I don't think anyone is unbeatable and everyone can have a good or a bad day. I think I can beat everyone - but so can everyone!"

2003 European Judo Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany
Other Interview Articles 2003
Interview with Annabelle Euranie 2003
Interview with Benjamin Darbelet
Daily Reports Written by Barnaby Chesterman The IJF Official Journalist 2003 European Judo Championships Results 2003 European Judo Championships - Day One 2003 European Judo Championships - Day two 2003 European Judo Championships - Day Three


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