Great sporting achievements happen when talent is combined with hard work, perseverance and the determination to keep improving. Simon Osećanski, a Year 5-3 student at Savremena Primary School, demonstrated exactly these qualities by winning first place and a gold medal at the Crvena zvezda Cup 2026  judo competition.

The competition, organised by the  Judo Federation of Serbia, took place on 19 September 2026 and brought together young judokas ready to demonstrate their skills, discipline and determination on the tatami. Facing strong competition, Simon made his way to the top of the podium, showing how dedication to sport can lead to outstanding results.

A gold medal represents much more than a final ranking. Behind it are countless hours of training, persistence, concentration, self-discipline and the willingness to continue working even when challenges arise. These qualities are equally valuable beyond sport, teaching children how to set goals, believe in their abilities and work responsibly towards achieving them.

Simon’s achievement is another wonderful reason to celebrate at Savremena and a great example of how our students continue to develop their talents beyond the classroom.

Judo requires much more than physical strength. Technique, quick decision-making, concentration, self-control and respect for one’s opponent are essential every time a competitor steps onto the tatami. This is why sporting achievements such as Simon’s are particularly meaningful: they demonstrate how consistent effort and continuous improvement can lead to significant accomplishments.

By winning first place at the Crvena zvezda Cup 2026, Simon demonstrated confidence, determination and the ability to apply everything he had learnt through training when it mattered most. His gold medal is therefore both recognition of the effort already invested and additional motivation for future training sessions, competitions and sporting challenges.

At Savremena Primary School, great importance is placed on the well-rounded development of every student. Achievements in sport, art, science and other areas all play an important role in children’s development. Through these experiences, students build confidence, responsibility, perseverance and healthy habits while learning how to balance their school responsibilities with the activities and interests they are passionate about.

When a student discovers something they excel at and receives encouragement to continue developing their potential, every new achievement becomes part of a much bigger journey: becoming a confident, motivated and independent young person.

Simon’s gold medal is a wonderful achievement and an inspiring example to his peers of how dedication, discipline and perseverance can lead to success. Every training session, every perfected technique and every challenge overcome contributed to the moment when he was able to stand at the top of the podium and take home gold from an important judo competition.

At Savremena, student success is not measured by grades alone. Children are encouraged to discover their interests, develop their talents and gain experiences that build qualities they will carry with them throughout their education and beyond. Sport is one of the environments in which responsibility, respect, fair play, emotional control and perseverance in pursuing goals can be developed particularly effectively.

That is why achievements such as this have an additional value. They demonstrate what young people can accomplish when they discover an activity that motivates them and approach it with commitment and determination.

Congratulations to Simon Osećanski on winning first place and a gold medal at the Crvena zvezda Cup 2026! We wish him many more successful matches, new medals and plenty of opportunities to proudly take his place on the winners’ podium.