Now you will have an amazing opportunity to get to know a judo player Stjepo Roko. He is 20 years old and currently studying for Mass Media Communication bachelor. When he was six years old his parents suggested him to start taking up a sport activity. Whereas he was not interested in football or basketball thus he decided to play judo. At the beginning he was training just for fun but after a couple of years it became his full time job - five years ago a coach of a Croatia national judo team asked him to join.
Could you describe your regular day?
I have trainings twice or three times a day during the season. Also, I have to go to university and after it there is no time for anything else, except eating and sleeping. Furthermore, I am a member of ESN Dubrovnik so when I have time I try to help them. During summer I work in one hotel in the morning and training in the afternoon.
What about the University? Do you have enough time for it?
It is difficult to combine both, professional sport and studies but I think it is worth trying because a won medal is the best reward for all the hard training.
What about your free time?
I do not have a lot of free time but if I do, I usually play futsal or go for a coffee with my friends. It is a bit complicated because I can not meet them as often as I would like to, however I am glad that they understand why. I have supportive friends who greet and congratulate me after each competition no matter what.
Could you mention your awards?
I won three medals in European cups in Cohimbra (second place), Zagreb (third place) and Ukraine (second place). I participated in the World and European Championships in which I won the first match but unfortunately lost the second one.
Could you mention all countries where you had competitions?
I had fights in the whole Europe. I have been to Spain, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, Italy, Malta, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Slovenia and Portugal. To be honest, Portugal is my favourite country so far. I have been there several times and my dream is to go to study there as Erasmus student.
Is it true that you spend more time abroad than in Dubrovnik?
Actually, I spend a lot of time in foreign countries. For example, last year I was abroad about 150 days just because of judo and competitions.
Did you make new friends during competitions?
I made some good friends in many countries, like Sweden, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey. Actually one of my best friends is from Sweden and he comes to Dubrovnik to visit me every summer.
Did you get any injuries during your sports career?
I had three serious injuries in my career. The first injury happened during the semi-finals of a championship in the middle of the season when I had more intense trainings than usually. The second one happened one month ago. I could not take up judo for four weeks! Now I am better and just started preparation for upcoming championship in Zagreb. Injuries are inseparable part of sportsman’s life especially when you have to do training twice per day.
Did something funny happen during your travels to various competitions?
When we were in Kiev we went to watch a football match between Dynamo Kiev and Arsenal Kiev. Me and friends of mine were wearing white T-shirt but we did not know that white colour is an official symbol of Dynamo Kiev. Suddenly a group of Arsenal Kiev fans showed up who wanted to prove that their team is better. Fortunately, the police came in the last minute and saved our lives.
Could you mention the most important things in your life?
The most important thing in my life is family. When I lose the confidence, they still believe in me, when I lose the power, they give me power. They support me all the time and they always accept my decisions. The second most important thing is sport and third one is university.
What do you want to do in the future?
On Saturday there is going to be the last fight in this season. It is my last year in Junior category and next year I will be in Senior. Therefore I have to decide if I want to play judo professionally and get a job related with it or find a job connected with my current studies. I hope I will decide after a few meetings in summer. It is very hard to make up my mind because I want to make a right decision.
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