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The Battle of the Titans continues in the -81kg category with one of the most exciting rivalries in present time between Tato GRIGALASHVILI (GEO) and Matthias CASSE (BEL). Their incredible rivalry started in the European Championships semi final in 2020, and there is every chance it could continue in the final of this 2025 edition. As the top two seeds, Grigalashvili and Casse would meet or yet another sensational final.
This will be the first time Grigalashvili competes back at -81kg since the Paris Olympic Games, easing himself back in to competition in the Warsaw European Open and Upper Austria Grand Prix in the -90kg category. Timur ARBUZOV (IJF) is part of the new wave, the 21 year-old stunned the World Championships crowd, giving Grigalashvili a good run for his money in the -81kg final, but has since gone on to claim a silver medal in the Tokyo Grand Slam and gold in Tashkent.
We have the usual line up of top -81kg athletes this year, but someone who looks to be back on form is Vedat ALBAYRAK (TUR) who gave a crowd-pleasing performance in Tbilisi where he claimed gold. The two-time European Champion (2021, 2023) settled for bronze in 2024 but will be preparing for a hat-trick.
Along with Arbuzov, Omar RAJABLI (AZE) is climbing the ranks behind team mate and #4 seed, Zelim TCKAEV. A Paris Grand Slam bronze was a great accomplishment this year, losing out only to Arnaud AREGBA (FRA) who kicked off the second day of competition in Paris in tremendous style when defeating LEE Joonhwan (KOR) in the opening round, setting the precedent for the day.
This young blood will bring forward a new feel to the tournament and threaten the leaders of the category, but will they overcome?
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen