Golden Score Drama Ends with Mustafa Hebib’s Breakthrough in Sarajevo

Mustafa Hebib gave the home crowd a moment to remember at the Sarajevo European Open 2026, taking gold in the men’s -81 kg division after a tough final. On the second and last day of Judo action in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, the host nation once again found itself celebrating on the podium.

Hebib had already looked sharp through the preliminary rounds, but the biggest test came in the final against Russia’s Akroman Parchiev. Their contest went beyond five minutes into golden score before Hebib finally secured the win and a gold medal that carried real weight for both the athlete and the arena around him.

It was not just another result. For Hebib, this was the first gold medal of his career at an Open-level tournament, making the victory an important step in his progress. In a category described as the largest of the event, coming out on top added even more significance to the achievement.

The host nation had to wait, but the payoff was huge.

Bosnia and Herzegovina had already opened its medal account on Saturday when Aleksandra Samardžić took bronze in the women’s -70 kg category. Hebib’s title on Sunday meant the hosts closed the event with another strong highlight, and this time it was the highest place on the podium.

Hebib himself made clear that the result was especially encouraging because it came at a time when a major outcome was not necessarily expected. He said the gold gave him a valuable lift in confidence, but also stressed that his team’s main focus remains the Mediterranean Games and delivering the best possible performance there.

That balance probably says a lot about why this result matters. On one hand, it was a breakthrough moment in front of a home crowd, earned in a demanding final that tested patience and nerve in golden score. On the other, Hebib’s reaction showed an athlete still looking ahead, treating this success as fuel rather than a finish line.

The Sarajevo European Open 2026 delivered intense contests across both competition days, and for local supporters, Sunday ended with the best kind of reward. A home gold always means something extra, and Hebib’s win brought that feeling to life in the clearest way possible.

Hebib turned a long final into a career-first Open gold.

With Samardžić’s bronze and Hebib’s gold, the hosts left their European Open with medals on both days. For the Sarajevo crowd, that was more than enough reason to celebrate.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union