Polish women aim for gold at European Open Warsaw

Two years ago at the European Open in Warsaw three Polish women won the gold medal. Arleta Podolak, Katarzyna Klys and Beata Pacut, a remarkable result and it will be hard to match. This weekend in Warsaw, approx. 180 women are again centre of the World of Judo.

In the Polish capital more than 25 Polish judoka will fight for the medals, but with strong teams from France, Belgium, Mongolia, Israel, Germany and Italy such result is hard to realise.

The Polish team includes Karolina Pienkowska who won silver in Düsseldorf last week and Karolina Talach who captured gold at the European Open in Lisbon one month ago. Especially Pienkowska is in a good shape and with Agata Perenc one of the top flights in the category U52kg. The highest World Ranked judoka in Warsaw is Amandine Buchard. She is by far the favourite in this weight division. The French also have Melanie Clement (10 WRL) who fights U48kg who won bronze in Düsseldorf.

The Polish women have a good chance U57kg with Anna Borowska and Julia Kowalczyk as top seeds. Borowska just missed the bronze last week in Düsseldorf. Karolina Talach but also French champion Maelle Di Cintio, Geke van den Berg and perhaps de surprising Austrian Tina Zeltner may have their hands in the medal pot U63kg.

On Sunday Austria will have a strong contender in Michaela Polleres U70kg. Belgians Roxane Taeymans and Gabriella Willems get company of Hilde Jager (NED) and many French when it comes to the podium. The French have strong competitors in each category like U78kg with Sama Camara and Chloe Dollin.Germany and Italy sent some quality women to Poland in this category.

Also the Algerian team can be mentioned with a top class team including heavyweight Sonia Asselah. Traditionally the French, Hungarian and Ukrianian women will divide the medals.