Georgi Georgiev Judoka

Strong Korean women at European Open in Sofia

The first week of February is traditionally the period for the European Open in Sofia. But Sofia starts early this year, this weekend at 30 and 31 January Sofia is the centre of the Olympic qualification in judo where both men and women will fight in the Bulgarian capital. Last year when the Tournoi de Paris wasn’t held Sofia shifted a week. Last year the host nation enjoyed the victory of Ivelina Ilieva U57kg and there was bronze U60kg for Yanislav Gerchev and U81kg by Ivaylo Ivanov. This year Ivanov is ranked second in the seeding for Sofia behind Yakhyo Imamov, the 2013 Paris Grand Slam winner is taking the first seed. Read more