Opening day one of the U23 European Championships were the -48kg women. Current Olympic bronze medallist, Tara BABULFATH (SWE) battled it out against Giulia GHIGLIONE (ITA) for the U23 title, after already enduring a 10 minute contest in the semi final with Ghiglione’s team mate and eventual bronze medallist, Asia AVANZATO. Unfortunately for Ghiglione, she made the mistake of going in to ne waza with Babulfath, who dominated there to take the 2024 U23 European title.
Poland’s hope for a gold medal lay in the hands of 17 year-old, Cadet European silver and World bronze medallist, Jakub KUROWSKI in the -60kg. There he faced Azerbaijan’s Huseyn ALLAHYAROV. The atmosphere was electric for this contest, with Team Poland backed by crowd and officials. For the young Polish competitor who likes to get a feel for his contest in the opening minute, was not given that opportunity as he was caught with some swift ashi waza, thrown directly in to kesa gatame and was unable to escape.
It was a win for Spain in the -52kg category, as Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ took the win against Aydan VALIYEVA (AZE). Both had been giving dominant performances to reach this point, but sheer strength of Leiva is what pulled her through for the gold. Going behind her opponent she managed to launch, with what originally looked like a tani otoshi attempt, Leiva used her leg to lift Valiyeva, scoring the waza ari before moving in to the osae komi, having to adjust during those ten seconds before being awarded the title.
In the final for the -66kg men, it was an all-Italian encounter. Arguably, neither Federico NINFO or Giuseppe DE TULLIO were favoured for the gold medal, however they slowly and surely battled their way through their quarters, defeating the top contenders, only to find one another in the fight for gold. It was an open contest and initially, Ninfo scored with a driving counter, but it wasn’t long until De Tullio found his opening, going in for ko soto gake, with his opponent moving his leg, he continued with the momentum, taking Ninfo to the ground. It was yet another seamless transition in to an osaekomi to become the U23 European Champion.
Unfortunately for Nino LOLADZE (GEO), it wasnt the rematch she was hoping for against Fidan ALIZADA (AZE). The young women had already come head to head in the Junior European final this year with Alizada coming out the victor, and once again she secured a title win, this time in Pila. It was certainly looking more positive for Loladze in the opening seconds, but once on the ground, Alizada tied up her opponent and held on for the 20 seconds required. Though disappointed, it was not a sour loss for the Georgian athlete as she offered both hands up in celebration of her opponent in gracious fashion.
Giorgi TERASHVILI (GEO) was on the hunt for another European title following his Junior win in 2023, and though it had been a steady start, he had made it in to the final against the recent Zagreb Grand Prix winner, SZEGEDI Daniel (HUN). It was only a matter of eight seconds before Terashvili scored with a huge uchi mata, and as it was only awarded waza ari, he continued his mission by tying Szegedi up in ne waza and held on for a further ten seconds. Georgia took gold in 22 seconds.
There was one exception to the ‘ne waza win’ rule today, and that was Laura VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ (ESP) in the -63kg final. Vazquez has been on a roll recently, picking up continental open medals, and today, came out to defend her U23 European title. The last athlete standing in her way was Alessia CORRAO (BEL) who is a difficult competitor but eventually the Spanish defender threw with uchi mata for yet another gold medal.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen