BORN AT JUST 930 GRAMS, MARIJA DŽOMBA NOW A BALKAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPION

TREBINJE, SEPTEMBER 20 /SRNA/ – Eight-year-old Marija Džomba from Trebinje, who was born three months prematurely and whose doctors gave her little chance of survival, has become a striking example of resilience and determination. First it was fight for her life, and now for the title of Balkan jiu-jitsu champion.

Born in the 27th week of pregnancy weighing just 930 grams, Marija recently won a gold medal at the Balkan Open Championship, confirming both her considerable talent and the role of determination, hard work and perseverance in achieving success.

Marija told SRNA that what she enjoys most about martial arts are throwing techniques and that she does not find training difficult, even though it is demanding.

"My favorite medal is the gold from the Balkan Open Championship, and so far I have won 24 medals. I did not expect to win gold at this championship, and more than anything I wanted to beat the competitor from Bulgaria," Marija said.

In addition to her medals, Marija has also won two trophies - one as the best competitor in the under-eight fighting category and another recognizing her as a promising athlete of the City of Trebinje for 2024.

Marija's mother, Jela Džomba, told SRNA that Marija had been training in jiu-jitsu since the age of three. She initially chose martial arts by following the example of her uncles and later grew to love the sport herself.

“When she was born, the doctors gave her virtually no chance of survival, but from the beginning I did not believe that. I told my husband what the doctors had said, but I did not dwell on it - I believed in her. She weighed 930 grams at birth, and when I first saw her she weighed only 750 grams. She was in Podgorica and connected to numerous machines," Džomba said.

She reminded that at their first meeting, it was the little girl's fighting spirit that gave her strength because, despite being so tiny, Marija was already moving her neck.

"I saw that she was a fighter and that she would make it. I continued with that belief, and she proved me right. After spending three months in Podgorica, Marija returned to Trebinje. Many medical check-ups followed, and today she is a healthy girl in the third grade and an excellent student," Džomba said.

She added that those first steps in life seemed to define Marija as a fighter, and that eight years later her success in martial arts had become another small confirmation of who she truly is.

"Over the past year, in addition to jiu-jitsu, Marija has also started training in judo at the Hercegovina Judo Club. From what her coaches have told me, I believe this has contributed to her further success because it develops an aspect of fighting that she also needs in jiu-jitsu," Džomba said.

She added that, as a parent, beyond medals and awards, what mattered most to her was that Marija remained a true athlete and grew into a good person.

Marija's coach, Lazar Vučković, told SRNA that she was an exceptionally talented and dedicated athlete who, through her approach to training and competition, had shown great potential for achieving top-level results.

"She is especially distinguished by her discipline, fighting spirit and desire to improve. Marija is an athlete who does not give up when things get difficult, but instead sees every challenge as an opportunity to become better. She is responsible, focused and willing to listen to advice during training, which is very important for her further development," Vučković said.

He added that, as a coach, he saw in Marija a combination of talent, character and strong work habits.

"Her results so far confirm the quality of her work, but I believe her greatest potential is still ahead of her. Marija has exceptional natural talent, but what truly sets her apart is the way she develops that talent through work and discipline. She has an excellent feel for combat, quickly absorbs technical elements and shows impressive sporting intelligence," Vučković said.

He said the club holds regular training sessions three times a week, while Marija also consistently attends additional judo training, adding that her discipline and inner motivation were among her greatest strengths.

A bright sporting future appears to lie ahead for Marija, and with such character, talent and dedication, there is every reason to expect her to return to the winners' podium many more times.