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On day two of the Senior European Judo Championships 2025 in Podgorica, we saw the -57kg, -73kg and -63kg categories battle it out for a place in the final block in hope they’d be leaving Montenegro with a medal.
In the -57kg category, Eteri LIPARTELIANI (GEO) has the European Open Championships title, a historic title, however now she wants another in the regular edition. After a tremendous start to the year and a second gold medal win in the Tbilisi Grand Slam, she is on top form and today defeated Timna NELSON-LEVY (ISR) in the semi final. A ko soto gari was the difference in today’s head to head, scoring the winning yuko. For the title, Liparteliani will take on Seija BALLHAUS (GER) who had an incredible contest against a local favourite, Marica PERISIC (SRB). The pair picked up two shidos each and though it looked like Perisic was the one with more control, she was taken over by Ballhaus, who spun in for harai goshi with a dropped knee.
Danil LAVRENTEV (IJF) has another chance at a European title, last year settling for silver after a loss to Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE). It was a very passionate win against Rashid MAMMADALIYEV (AZE), scoring waza ari with osaekomi in the second minute, and again showing off his ne waza skills later on, securing the ippon with juji gatame! In the second semi final, we watched Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO) return to the tatami after an unimaginable 16-minute contest against Akil GJAKOVA (KOS), the latter clearly demonstrated a drained tank, losing his repechage contest in the first minute, and although the Georgian went the full four minutes against his semi final opponent, Manuel LOMBARDO (ITA), it was clear he was in short supply. Lombardo however looked to have a new fire today, and scored waza ari against Shavdatuashvili with a standing morote seoi nage, persevering and adjusting himself to score a winning waza ari.
As for the-63kg category, Renata ZACHOVA (CZE) seems to have a good feeling for title events as she has returned today in full force to defend her 2024 title. It was one of the throws of the day in her semi final against Carlotta AVANZATO (ITA), who had taken out Olympic 5th place and seeded athlete, Katarina KRISTO (CRO) in the earlier rounds to advance. After six and a half minutes, Zachova executed a devastating ura nage to seal her place in the final. However now she will meet five-time European and World Champion, Olympic Champion, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) for gold. For Agbegnenou, this could be an epic moment in French history, and she will hold the record for most medals in a continental championships for her nation. It was a brutal semi final, having to face team mate Manon DEKETER, but a signature makikomi from Agbegnenou brought her the win.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen