For Aleksandar Kukolj, success has never been confined to winning medals. While Serbia’s first European judo champion continues to compete at the highest level, he is equally focused on moulding what the sport looks like for the next generation.
In a thought-provoking episode of JudoPod, Kukolj discusses leadership, entrepreneurship, athlete development and why judo must continue to evolve if it wants to reach a wider audience.
Away from competition, Kukolj’s restless ambition has led him to build one of Serbia’s fastest-growing judo systems. What began as a single club has grown into six dojos driven by a simple philosophy: surround yourself with people who genuinely love coaching.
Rather than running every training session himself, Kukolj focuses on the bigger picture: developing coaches, mentoring young athletes and creating an environment where children can thrive. Surprisingly, he believes managing his clubs has made him a better athlete, providing a mental balance that helped offset the pressures of elite competition.
The interview also charts the remarkable rise of Serbian judo. Kukolj remembers a time when the country had almost no international presence. Today, the depth of talent is so great that becoming Serbian champion can feel harder than winning medals abroad; a transformation he believes has completely changed expectations for young athletes.
Beyond the dojo, Kukolj is passionate about making judo more visible. He believes the sport offers one of the best foundations for children but argues that technical excellence alone is not enough to attract new generations. Young people, he says, need stories, heroes and emotional connections. From collaborating with popular content creators to exploring the idea of a judo-themed animated series, he believes the sport must embrace new ways of inspiring future athletes.
As one of the sport's sharpest tactical thinkers, Kukolj also offers candid views on modern judo rules. Drawing on years of experience in both judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he explains how seemingly small rule changes can alter an athlete’s behaviour dramatically, influencing everything from gripping exchanges to groundwork and attacking strategies.
While planning for the future, he is also happy looking back. He considers one of his favourite career memories to be winning the Tokyo Grand Slam, where he entered what athletes often describe as a perfect "flow state," performing almost effortlessly in the birthplace of judo. He also reflects on his world championship silver medal, achieved after moving from -90 kg to -100 kg during the pandemic; a decision that transformed the later stages of his career.
Throughout the conversation, one message stands above everything else: experience is the greatest teacher. Quoting a Serbian proverb, Kukolj says,
For him, true understanding comes not from theory but from overcoming setbacks, adapting and continuing to grow.
Watch the full interview to hear Aleksandar Kukolj discuss leadership, innovation, the future of judo and the lessons that only experience can teach.