The home of the ancient gladiators, Rome, will be hosting this weekends European Open on the 9th and 10th of November, 2024. With 248 athletes from 32 nations travelling to Italy, it is already looking to be a busy time, but there are some big names in the line up, returning in multiple ways.
At the top of the ranking we have Luka MAISURADZE (GEO) competing in the -90kg category, after some time away from the tatami it will be interesting to see how he fares on his return on the continental level. Though his main opponents are those competing regularly in the continental opens and haven’t quite managed the dizzying heights of success as Maisuradze, there is an unranked and unseeded threat lurking, Frank DE WIT (NED) is testing out the waters in this heavier category, typically a heavy hitter in the -81kg weight class.
As for the women, we have -70kg World silver medallist, Giovanna SCOCCIMARRO (GER) who was unfortunately struck down by injury on numerous occasions towards the end of the last Olympic cycle, but now she is making a recovered comeback and easing her way back on to the IJF World Tour, with a first stop in Rome.
Sticking with the women, coming in behind the -78kg top seed, Migle Julija DUDENAITE (LTU), is Zanet MICHAELIDOU (CYP). Recently, the Cypriot has been on fire, claiming her first IJF World Tour medal in Abu Dhabi, before returning home to compete in the European Championships of the Small States where she took gold. This will have been an emotional stop for her given that her training takes place in this host country, Italy. As her ‘home away from home’ this could work to her advantage and have extra support from training partners in the crowd.
Team Italy have quite the entry, sporting athletes who are fresh on the scene and some who have gained much more experience. The likes of Giulia CARNA (-57kg) and Irene PEDROTTI (-70kg) have been talked about quite a bit, but now emerging talents including Rebecca VALERIANI (-48kg) and Leonardo VALERIANI (-73kg) are coming through, the latter took gold in the Prague European Open most recently and Rebecca placed an impressive 5th at the Junior World Championships in Tajikistan.
Tune in for the live draw at 20:00 on Friday 8th of November on JudoTV.com!
Author: Thea Cowen