20 April 2025

European Championships 2025: +78kg Preview

European Judo Championships Seniors Podgorica 2025

European Championships 2025: +78kg Preview

A fifth title is in reach for the top seed in the +78kg category, Romane DICKO (FRA). After being on a gold medal-roll for almost a year, it was an emotional Olympic loss for Dicko who was forced to settle for a bronze medal finish, though she assisted her team to a gold in the Mixed Team event. Since then she brought her wining nature back in the Tbilisi Grand Slam and is if course hoping it will carry over to Podgorica. 

Romane DICKO (FRA) © Gabi Juan

Coming for the top seed is Olympic silver medallist and 2024 European Champion, Raz HERSHKO (ISR). Hershko has met Dicko on four occasions in major championships but has fallen short of taking the win, perhaps in this new cycle she has found a way to overcome her long term rival. 

Following the top two in to battle is Asya TAVANO (ITA), double European bronze medallist at only 22 years old and a force to be reckoned with. Coming up in the same breath were Marit KAMPS (NED) and Lea FONTAINE (FRA), the pair have developed since cadets together, and before 2023, the wins had been in favour of Fontaine until Kamps bested her in the Tbilisi Grand Slam. Now the two contenders for the European Champion title haven’t met since 2023, so a collision in these championships would be unpredictable. 

Asya TAVANO (ITA) © Emanuele Di Feliciantonio

Hilal OZTURK (TUR) is up next, another great heavyweight success as a cadet and junior who transitioned well under her team mate Kayra OZDEMIR, and though she won a bronze on the senior world stage, she is still looking for the senior accolade, though she came very close in 2024 with a fifth place finish. 

Judoka

Author: Thea Cowen