South African judoka Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova added another strong result to her competitive record with a silver medal at the 20th Sveti Vid Judo Tournament, held from 7–8 June 2025 at the Sports Centre Zamet in Rijeka, Croatia. The event overall included 772 participants from 15 countries.
Competing in the -63kg category, Nenova advanced through to the final after she claimed wins over Slovenia’s Urška Peric and the Czech Republic’s Denisa Odlasová in the quarter and semifinals, before facing Slovenia’s Neža Mesiček in the final, where she finished second.
The performance is a notable achievement in her ongoing return to form following a series of setbacks. “It feels incredibly rewarding, especially after everything I’ve been through since 2023,” said Nenova. “I’ve had to overcome three serious injuries, time away from training, and ongoing health challenges. So this result is more than just a medal — it’s a step in the right direction.”
In preparing for the tournament, Nenova focused on both physical and mental aspects of her training. “I worked on my endurance and sharpened my groundwork. Mentally, I’ve placed more emphasis on things like visualization and managing nerves. I feel like my judo has matured — I’m more composed during matches and better able to adjust when needed.”
Since April, Nenova has been living, training, and coaching in Croatia at Judo Klub Rijeka. She also maintains close ties with her South African club, Kazuno Judo in Randburg, Gauteng. “Being involved in coaching has shifted my perspective and helped me grow as an athlete too. You become more analytical when you’re guiding others, and that feeds back into your own approach on the mat.”
This latest result adds to her previous achievements, including a bronze medal at the 2023 Commonwealth Judo Championships. Long-term, her goals remain focused. “The Olympic Games have always been a dream of mine. I understand how difficult that path can be, especially coming from a country with limited resources in judo. But I’m committed to pursuing it — whether as a competitor or one day as a coach.”
Representing South Africa remains an important part of her identity in the sport. “Wearing the RSA badge means a lot to me. I hope my journey can encourage young judoka back home, especially girls, to believe that progress is possible through hard work and consistency.”
Like many South African athletes, Nenova faces ongoing challenges around funding and access to opportunities. “Travel and proper preparation for competitions come with costs that are often hard to meet. What we need most is structured support — whether through sponsorships, more experienced coaching, or regular chances to train and compete outside the country. The talent is definitely there.”
Among her standout memories in the sport, Nenova recalls the 2020 African Championships, where she won bronze following months of disrupted training during the COVID-19 lockdowns. “We didn’t have access to proper facilities. I trained at home and later in a teammate’s backyard using basic equipment. That experience showed how important the environment and team support can be, even in what’s often seen as an individual sport.”
Over the years, judo has also taken her to countries like Hungary, France, and Turkey for training and competition. “One of the key differences I’ve seen is how structured and well-supported the athletes are in those environments. Many have access to full-time coaches, recovery experts, and government-backed programs. That kind of support allows athletes to focus fully on their development.”
Nenova credits her family — especially her mother — for standing by her throughout the ups and downs. “She’s helped sponsor many of my trips. I’ve also had great support from sponsors like Protech Motors, SNT Sports, and High Protein Milk Recovery, as well as from the community at Kazuno Judo. Their help enabled me to complete my IJF Coaching Level 2 practical in Hungary. I’ve also invested a lot myself to keep going — both financially and personally.”
As she continues her work on the mat and on the sidelines as a coach, Nenova remains committed to her journey. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’ll keep showing up. Step by step, I’ll keep working toward what I believe is possible.”
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