Balancing the Classroom and the Tatami: Una’s Journey in Judo

For Year 10 student Una Simović, weekends often look a little different from those of most teenagers. While many students are enjoying a break from school, Una can usually be found traveling to another competition, preparing for her next match, and stepping onto the judo tatami.

Her latest achievement came in Split, Croatia, where Una represented Serbia at the European Judo Cup, winning a bronze medal in her category.

But behind the medal is a story of years of dedication, early mornings, late-night training sessions, and learning how to balance the demands of being both a student and a competitive athlete.

A Weekend in Split

Una travelled to Split on Thursday evening with her trainer, taking a bus overnight and arriving on Friday morning. After arriving, she went straight into a training session, followed by the official weigh-in. After grabbing something to eat, it was time to rest and prepare for the competition ahead.

The following morning, Una headed to the competition hall for her warm-up before stepping onto the tatami.

She competed in three matches that day, progressing through the quarter-final and semi-final before fighting for the bronze medal. The competition continued into the evening, ending with Una securing her place on the podium.

The weekend was not quite over. The following day, Una stayed to support her teammates as they competed, before the group shared a meal and rested together. 

Ten Years on the Tatami

Una has been training for around 10 years. Her journey began when she was a young child and, as she describes it, had a lot of energy.

She asked her parents if she could try a martial art, and judo became one of several sports she explored alongside swimming and dancing. Although she did not immediately fall in love with judo during her first year, something changed over time.

By the age of seven or eight, judo had become her main focus.

Today, Una says she cannot imagine a day without training or a weekend without competing.

With competitions taking place almost every weekend, judo has become a significant part of her life – but so has school.

Finding Balance at Brook Hill

Una has been part of the Brook Hill community since Kindergarten, meaning she has grown up at the school while developing as an athlete.

Her training schedule is demanding. Training often finishes late in the evening, and she can arrive home as late as 11:30 p.m. Because of this, much of her studying needs to happen during the school day.

This is where having the right balance between school and sport becomes especially important.

At Brook Hill, Una is able to make the most of her time at school, working with her teachers and completing much of her academic work during the school day before heading to training.

For a student whose weekends are frequently dedicated to competitions and whose evenings are filled with training, this balance allows Una to pursue her sporting ambitions without stepping away from her education.

More Than a Medal

When Una returned to school after her success in Split, she was met with congratulations from her classmates and teachers. Many told her they wished they could have been there to watch her compete.

Her bronze medal is an achievement to be proud of, but Una’s journey shows that success is not built on one competition. It comes from showing up week after week, learning from both wins and losses, and continuing to work towards the next challenge.

For Una, the European Judo Cup was another step in a journey that began a decade ago.

And with another competition likely just around the corner, there is little time to stop.

For now, however, Una can enjoy her bronze medal and the knowledge that she is successfully balancing two demanding worlds: being a dedicated Brook Hill student and a committed young athlete.