The Thessaloniki Cadet European Cup 2024 marked a conclusion to this year’s EJU cadet calendar. Dominating the competition, Kazakhstan secured the top spot with two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. Azerbaijan followed in second place, boasting two gold, one silver and five bronze medals.
For many athletes, this event signified their final chapter in the cadet category, and none more so than Giorgi GIVISHVILI. The reigning world champion from Lima transitioned from the -66kg category to -73kg. Givishvili demonstrated remarkable adaptability, clinching the gold medal in his new weight class. This success cements his readiness for the junior category next year, where he aims to achieve an ambitious goal;
I wanted to test myself in this tournament, competing in the new category in which I will compete from 2025. I am very satisfied that this change came with the gold medal. My big goal for 2025 is to win the U21 World Championship, as I did this year in Peru. I have many dreams about judo that I want to realize. And every year, I want to evolve and become better.
For Greece, the highlight of the tournament was Maria Eleni PAPAIOANNOU, who claimed the country’s only medal by winning bronze in the -70kg category. In her first year as a cadet, she overcame prior setbacks at European Cups to deliver a strong performance in front of a home crowd.
I was very stressed. I want to thank my coaches very much. They helped me get here and never stopped believing in me; my parents too. Today, I am so happy, words cannot describe it. One mistake cost me a place in the final, but I am determined to learn from my errors and reach greater heights.
Looking ahead, the young athlete has her sights set on competing in major international events, including the 2025 season, with aspirations of eventually contending for an Olympic medal.
Cypriot judoka Marina AZINOU also stood out, earning a bronze medal in Thessaloniki after securing two golds at the European Judo Championships of the Small States earlier this month.
I am proud to have won a medal today. I want to give a big thank you to my coach and father. The best is yet to come. In 2025, I enter the juniors, where I want my participation in the tournaments to be accompanied by success.
The event also honored several prominent Greek judo figures during its opening ceremony. These included Paris 2024 Olympic bonze medallist, Theodoros TSELIDIS, national coach, Nikolaos ILIADIS, and Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist, Theodora PASCHALIDOU. Following the tournament, the Thessaloniki EJU Cadet Training Camp 2024 will take place 25-28 November.
Text: Giannis Hatzidopavlakis / Images: Alex Katsoulis
Author: Szandra Szogedi