Over 550 judoka from 21 nations will be competing in Samorin, Slovakia this weekend for yet another edition of cadet European Cup 2024. The city is a regular host of an annual Olympic Training Camp (OTC); however, it is the first time they organise an actual tournament. The competition will be held at the Oktagon Gym.
Two cadet world rank leaders, Hili ZAKROISKY (ISR/-57kg) and Ivano DJINKIC (BIH/-81kg) will seek to continue to dominate within their respected weight divisions. For the latter it will be slightly more testing as Rassul MUKHUM (KAZ/#5) and Derek MARCZAK (POL/#7) are ranked within the top eight, indicating they are at matching calibre. The -70kg category will see, 16-year-old, yet already U23 European silver medallist, Anna OLIINYK-KORNIIKO (UKR/#4) in action. Her closest match up, on paper, is Nadie JAAFAR (BUL/#6). Poland’s highest ranked player, Jakub KUROWSKI (-60kg/#3) kickstarted the year winning the Fuengirola Cadet European Cup and surely looks to double in golds. Alexandru DINCA (-90kg/#5) is Romania’s best bet for a medal. Remaining world rank top eight European judoka are Bodgan VELICKOVIC (SRB/-73kg), Ivan MILICEVIC (BIH/-90kg) and Arkadii SAMOILOV (UKR/-90kg).
The host nation has a real star to showcase for their audience with cadet European, world and EYOF ’23 winner, Patricia TOMANKOVA (-44kg/#4). EYOF ’23 bronze medallists, Nina FILKOROVA (+70kg) and Lili Kristina KRIZOVA (-48kg) will be at interest for the crowd too. Gyor Cadet European Cup 2023 bronze medallist, Juraj ODKLADAL (SVK) is heading onto the field of play in the -66kg category as number two seed. The Slovakian team has a great number of entry which ups the chance for potential surprises. A three-day training camp will follow the event.
Program
Attention: The schedule may be modified according to total number of entries and circumstances of competition. *The start time will be confirmed once the final number of athletes is known.
Author: Szandra Szogedi