Serbian sambo athlete Mia Maleš won a silver medal at the Sambo World Championships in Thessaloniki, securing Serbia’s first medal after the opening day of competition.
Maleš competed in the younger junior category up to 59 kilograms and reached the final after a strong run through the tournament. She was defeated in the gold-medal match by Ukraine’s Maria Nahorna.
Mia Maleš Silver Medal Brings Serbia First Podium Finish
The Serbian athlete booked her place in the final with a convincing victory over Croatia’s Nala Juras. Earlier in the competition, she defeated opponents from Turkey and Greece.
The silver medal was Serbia’s first at the World Championships for cadets, younger juniors and juniors in Thessaloniki.
Lana Radojev, competing in the over-80 kg category, also had an opportunity to win a medal. She fought for bronze but was defeated by Bulgaria’s Sherifova, who established an early advantage that Radojev was unable to overcome.
Other Serbian Athletes Compete in Repechage
Among Serbia’s other competitors, Marija Banika in the up-to-72 kg category and Slavko Lončar in the up-to-88 kg category recorded notable performances.
Both advanced to the repechage but were unable to reach the bronze-medal matches.
