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There is a deep history in this category, as well as plenty fresh blood to feast on in the 2025 European Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro. Starting with double Olympic Champion, Lukas KRPALEK (CZE) who also holds two world titles and three at European level. However he is stacked against a cliff of champions and top tier athletes. Krpalek actually comes in as the third seed in this event behind the 2024 European finalists; winner Inal TASOEV (IJF) and Guram TUSHISHVILI (GEO).
Olympic silver medallist, Tushishvili, lost out to Krpalek in Tokyo after an epic battle, but up until recently it was a 2:2 record, but after a motivated win in the Upper Austria Grand Prix, the Georgian looks to be on top form ahead of this event.
He did however, fall at the final hurdle more recently in the Tbilisi Grand Slam, losing out to Tasoev, though this was the closest contest between the two since Tushishvili took the win in the final of the European Games in Minsk, 2019.
In 2023, Tasoev’s team mate, Valerii ENDOVITSKII took his first senior European medal, and on that occasion, a bronze, and since then he has gone on to dominate in two Grand Slam events and medal in more.
Incredibly, that is only the leading four. Ibrahim TATAROGLU (TUR) has been climbing the ranks of the +100kg, and at only 19 years old, he is doing an incredible job to be chasing down these legends. The Netherlands are sending two potential medallists; European bronze medallist in 2023, Jelle SNIPPE and 2022 European Champion, Jur SPIJKERS. Just ahead of Spijkers, we also have fan favourite and 2023 European Champion, Martti PUUMALAINEN (FIN).
Though there are some younger names thrown in to the mix including Cadet European Champion, Marek-Adrian MASAK (EST), there are also some much more senior athletes taking part in the +100kg category this year. Starting with the Paris Grand Slam medallist, Toma NIKIFOROV (BEL). This is a new venture for him, as a -100kg athlete, he claimed the European title twice in 2018 and 2021, as well as silver and bronze in 2016 and 2015 respectively, however he is proven his capabilities in the open weight. Next up is Mikita SVIRYD (CRO), after being off the circuit for a while, he is happy to be back in the mix, medalling in Open and Cup events, but now he has his heart set on the grand stage.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen