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There is a good mix of experience in the -52kg category competing for the European title in 2025, from an Olympic Champion to the current Junior European Champion.
The latter, Nikolina NISAVIC (SRB) will be returning to Podgorica with a good feeling after securing the gold medal in the Senior European Cup only last September. This is her first run out in the senior continental championship, and will be joined by teammate, former -48kg competitor and Olympian, Milica NIKOLIC, who is 10 years her senior.
However, at the top we have some legendary names, starting with Distria KRASNIQI (KOS). The Tokyo Olympic Champion and Paris Olympic silver medallist is one of the most consistent athletes on the circuit, with a weight change making no difference in her bid for medals and success. Krasniqi is not only coming for her third title, but she will be defending her 2024 win in Zagreb. According to the seeding, there could be a final head to head with double Olympic medallist, Odette GIUFFRIDA (ITA), the current World Champion.
The pair have had a rivalry for the past decade, with Krasniqi turning the tide five years in after suffering defeat in two senior European Championships, but last year their final was epic and decided on only one waza ari in golden score.
Rounding out the top four are strong contenders, Gefen PRIMO (ISR) and PUPP Reka (HUN), the latter is another to have a younger counterpart climbing the ranks, GYERTYAS Roza (HUN). The 23 year-old is certainly reaching for the stars, having already collected two continental titles at the U23 level, and now wants to establish herself on the next level.
More national doubles include the formidable Spanish duo, Ariane TORO SOLER and Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ who are ranked #12 and #13 in the world. Both have been on somewhat of a streak as of recent, Leiva comes in as the U23 European Champion and Toro, a bronze medal in last years edition of the senior event. A collection of nine Grand Slam medals between them in the past year is also incredibly impressive, Toro narrowly pipping her team mate with the gold in Tbilisi in 2024. Nevertheless, both are capable of standing on the podium in Podgorica.
Most of the top athletes come from strong judo nations or have established careers, however it is often more difficult for those from the small nations as Sofia ASVESTA (CYP) has discovered. That certainly hasn’t hindered her motivation though, the winner of the European Judo Championships of the Small States in 2024 placing fifth in the Senior European Championships in 2024, as well as the most recent Paris Grand Slam. Asvesta is inching closer to her dream.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen