We expect to see many top names in the European Open events in the run up to the Olympic Games, chasing points. However this week we continue at the European Cup level in Malaga, Spain, this week and it will be a tough run for those athletes dipping their toes in the senior waters.
The more senior athletes include the likes of Fanny Estelle POSVITE (FRA) who recently swiped gold in the Prague European Open alongside Great Britain’s Stuart MCWATT who has moved in the -90kg category in a bid to qualify for Paris 2024. Ahead of Posvite however is Anna Monta OLEK (GER), the most recent winner of the Dushanbe Grand Prix, defeating team mate Anna Maria WAGNER for the gold. It was an early exit in the Hungary Masters event for the younger of the German -78kg athletes and hasn’t been on the tour since.
Of course, the Spanish team consists of strong contenders looking for success on home soil, Adrian NIETO CHINARRO took the -66kg gold in the Madrid European Open earlier in the summer, 2022 -63kg Junior European Champion Laura VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ narrowly missed out on the gold in Prague however took a continental open gold in Sofia earlier in the year.
The event takes place this Weeknd over the 14th and 15th of October followed by an OTC Camp. Follow the live action at JudoTV.com, as well as the draw on Friday 13th at 19:00 local time.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen