Two 2016 Olympic Champions won the European Cup in Germany

This weekend the European Cup for seniors will take place in Saarbrucken as the first big international judo event since the Olympic Games in Rio. At the start in Saarbrucken, the new place 279 judoka, 93 women and 186 men from 19 nations. Over the last three years the “German Open” was held in Sindelfingen, and always held in July. Due to the Olympic Games the term was moved to 28-28 August and the venue to Saarbrucken.

For Germany the European Cup is the second largest event after the Grand Prix in Düsseldorf. It’s the seventh European Cup of the season, from 11 events in total. The Hermann-Neuberger-Sportschule will be filled with more than 100 German judoka. Also big delegations from  the Netherlands (51 judoka) and France (36) will compete as well as a team of 12 Canadians.

Heavyweight Kristin Buessow is the only judoka who won the European Open twice over the last three years. But also some of the 2016 Olympians won the title in Sindelfingen in the past such as Olympic champion Fabio Basile who won in Sindelfingen last year. Olympic bronze medallist Cyrille Maret in 2014 and Slovenian Olympic champion Tina Trstenjak who won the tournament in 2013. Also vice World Champion Karl-Richard Frey won the tournament in Sindelfingen once. 

Last year the Dutch team won four titles. Among the participants continental medallists such as Alaa El Idrissi (MOR), Priscilla Morand (MRI), and Marc Deschenes (CAN). Former Continental Open winners Alix Renaud-Roy (CAN), Etienne Briand (FRA), Danny Williams (GBR), Christelle Garry (FRA) and multiple Norwegian champions Martin Thiblin and Madelene Rubinstein. Also former winners in Sindelfingen Anthony Zingg (GER) and Ferdinand Ansah (NED).