This weekend between the 19th and 20th of October, the third edition of the Cadet European Open in Riga, Latvia will take place. The event was established the year following the 2021 Cadet European Championships.
With over 250 budding judoka from 18 nations, including Canada and Kyrgyzstan, it will be an exciting event, lead by some already successful Europeans. From the host nation, Tomass MANFELDS will draw attention in the -90kg category, after celebrating a European Championship bronze medal in Sofia, it will be a happy occasion to perform in front of a home crowd. Also competing in the -90kg weight over the weekend will be European silver medallist, Majus GENYS (LTU). The pair went head to head in the semi final, where Genys came out on top, will Manfelds be able to turn the tables on home soil?
One of the most dominant in his class at the moment is Marek-Adrian MASAK (EST), the top seed of the +90kg category. Not only did Masak attain the European title this year, but continued on to become the vice champion in the Lima during the Cadet World Championships.
Leading the young women is Barbara TWAROWSKA (POL), alike Masak, the lightweight judoka was finalist in the Cadet European Championships, and bronze medallist on the world stage.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen