Fuengirola sets record numbers, St Petersburg sets lows

The top of the European youth is gathered this weekend in St. Petersburg, Russia for the Junior European Cup and in Fuengirola, Spain for the Cadet European Cup. It’s a busy judo weekend with lots of top performances coming up. But let’s analyse the strength of these events.

The north capital of Russia, Saint Petersburg welcomed 242 judoka from 14 countries. The Junior tournament used to be a strong event always held in April with the best juniors in the world including countries like Kazakhstan and Japan testing the new generation junior champion. Usually you saw the medallists of St. Petersburg at the next Junior World Championships catching up the medals. St. Petersburg used to be a real indication of international strength but for the first time it’s held in February and it has the weakest field ever with 14 nations competing, the lowest was 17 in 2017 and 2018, so the trend is down. The number of participants decreased from 259 last year to 242 while in 2016 this was 346. Japan and Kazakhstan don’t compete, neither France considered as some of the strongest nations. With categories of eight or less you wonder if the tournament can be saved. It’s always well organized by the Russians though, but the agenda is full.

Cadet European Cup Fuengirola

For most European countries is far easier to travel to shengen countries in the EU with easier or no visa and the pleasant climate of the Costa del Sol in Spain triggers lots of youngsters and their families to support then for the Cadet European Cup. The tournament is held since 2005 with the status of an A-tournament, later the European Cups. Also this tournament had trouble to get the right participation. In 2011 six countries participated and with 107 athletes it was really poor.

Yet this weekend 488 athletes from 25 nations signed in for a record of athletes and it’s promising for the Cadet European Cup Tour that opened the doors last week in Follonica, also with a record number of young greedy athletes.

It’s also promising for a new generation European athletes investing in their future. Although many will drop and won’t make it, the competition they have had will be a big benefit in future international meetings. Last year the Spanish Federation set a new country record with 36, this time an athlete record. Coming from a poor situation 8 year ago this tournaments jumps to the top of international gatherings. With six pools with over 32 athletes, 57 boys in U60kg, Fuengirola is a useful tournament with excellent circumstances for their families to enjoy the Spanish coast and support their kids. Are there any families with children in both cities this weekend? Yes there are, Dutch brother Silvan (Fuengirola) and Kylian (St. Petersburg) will be busy following both events.

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