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Day one of the Warsaw European Open 2025 certainly delivered for the host nation, in the opening men and women’s categories securing a gold and bronze from Angelika SZYMANSKA (-63kg) and Jakub KUROWSKI (-60kg).
Szymanska was first to stand on top of the podium and hear her national anthem played in the CAiLS Sports Hall, the perfect opener for the hosts. The World silver medallist had been essentially unrivalled throughout her preliminary round, and round after round demonstrated her prowess in ne waza, continuing right the way to the final where she claimed the win against Romania’s Amanda ZUAZNABAR-TORRES in only 30 seconds with juji gatame.
The -60kg final was a national concurrence for Team Kazakhstan, with Sherzod DAVLATOV defeating Aman BAKYTZHAN for the gold. However Europe claimed two bronze medals, the first from Luis BARROSO LOPEZ (ESP) and the second from Kurowski in an almighty 8 minute battle against Tornike MAZIASHVILI (GEO).
Dena POHL (GER) claimed the -70kg gold against Barbara TIMO (POR), surprisingly as both athletes are usually seen in the -63kg category, but both managed to battle their way to the final. For Timo, there is a slight element of comfort here given her World success in the weight, but Pohl was on a winning streak and after a minute and a half in to the final, executed a huge o goshi to take her first European Open medal, and a gold one at that!
Germany looked for another gold medal, this time in the -66kg category with Nicolas KUNZE, but he had a strong opponent, WRL #33, Elios MANZI (ITA). It was a great head to head but Manzi managed to use some slick ashi waza to score yuko with only 18 seconds left in the contest. It was a cool win for the European Championships bronze medallist, but was delighted to celebrate with coach, Antonio CIANO.
Kunze may not have been able to add another gold to the tally, but he was followed by Julie HOELTERHOFF who wanted to take a shot at the top spot of -78kg, and standing in her way was Karol GIMENES (BRA). It was a hard fought final between the women, but in the final seconds, Hoelterhoff attempted an uchi mata before switching to throw with sumi gaeshi, scoring a gold medal-winning waza ari. This gold is her second on the continental open level, and her ninth in total.
It was a career highlight for Benjamin LEVY (GBR) in the -73kg category, not only did he impress his opponents in the preliminary rounds, but he dug deep in golden score against Fabrizio ESPOSITO (ITA) during the final. Falling behind by ceding two shidos, the run of play was arguably in favour of Esposito, but after two and a half minutes of golden score, Levy saw his opportunity and took it, a wonderful uchi mata bringing him the continental open gold medal. Levy already achieved continental open status with a bronze medal win in Montreal, but this was his first gold as a senior athlete.
It was a short lived final in the +78kg category, with Grace-Esther MIENANDI LAHOU (FRA) defeating Ruslana BULAVINA (UKR) within moments, an immediate o soto gari giving her an ippon win.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen