Bryanston judoka Mila Savicevic sets sight on growth after National Judo Championships final
A defeat in the national final has only fuelled the determination of a local martial artist to return stronger.
Before every big fight, an athlete has to block out everything around them and trust the work they have put in.
For Mila Savicevic, a Bryanston-based athlete at Neoko Judo, that moment came as she walked onto the mat for the final of the National Judo Championships.
“The nerves were real, but once it started, everything else disappeared,” she said.
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The final did not end in the victory she had hoped for, but instead of allowing the defeat to discourage her, Mila left the mat with an even stronger desire to improve. “Even though I lost, it just made me want to win more.”
Throughout the competition, Mila kept reminding herself of the hours she had spent training and her desire to make her coaches proud.
That discipline extends beyond the dojo. Balancing school with competitive sport is not always easy, but Mila has learnt to manage her time and stay committed to both. “I manage my time and finish all my schoolwork while still making time for training. It is hard, but judo taught me discipline, which helps in school too.”
Her hard work has already earned her significant recognition. Last year, Mila was named the best female judoka in the U52kg category, an achievement she remains proud of, while quickly acknowledging those who helped her reach that level.
“I got the best U52kg female judoka last year, but I wouldn’t have got there without my coaches,” she said.
Away from judo, Mila has plenty of interests that keep her busy. She enjoys playing golf and hockey and is also a fan of Formula 1, but if she could combine her love of travel and the coast with her passion for competition, she knows exactly where she would go. “I would go to Malta because I enjoy being by the coast while getting ready to compete,” Mila said.
For now, her focus is on taking the lessons from every fight, including the difficult ones. The national championship final may not have ended with the result she wanted, but it has given Mila something just as important: another reason to keep working towards the win she knows she is capable of achieving.
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