Olympic hopes fighting in Bielsko Biala this weekend

The youngest elite of Europe will touch the city of Bielsko Biala this weekend for the European Cup. The best cadets from Europe, but also outside Europe will try to reach the podium. Also the Japanese team will have a strong team for the European Cup in Poland. Japanese coaches Tatsuya Deguchi and Hidekazu Shoda selected a few young talents. Last year the Japanese young men won four gold medals.

Genki Koga later won the World Cadet title in Sarajevo. But also the Georgian team was strong with Goga Kevkishvili who won a silver medal at the European Cadet Champion U18 in 2015 and Onise Saneblidze who won the EYOF title in Tbilisi in 2015 and world bronze at the World Cadet Championships.

Croatian talent Karla Prodan won the tournament and became World Cadet Champion in the women’s division. The 15-year old Angelika Szymanska made Poland proud with her gold medal. It was the first medal for the host nation since 2010.

The tournament in Bielsko Biala was held in Szczyrk before 2012 and had winners such as Hedvig Karakas (HUN), Andre Breitbarth (GER), Amandine Buchard (FRA), Natalia Kuziutina and Olympic Champion Arsen Galstyan from Russia. Galstyan won in his Olympic category U60kg in the 2005 edition.

So far 28 countries have registered and more than 500 athletes will fight with big teams from Poland, Romania, France and the Ukraine. Also the successful team of Hungary will be present. Some of the Hungarian talents are leading in the ranking for most gold medals.

Who's going to be the next future hero? Watch them in Bielsko Biala.