Experienced women prevail U52kg: Kuziutina and Chitu in the spotlight

World Number one Majlinda Kelmendi is the reigning World and European Champion U52kg and the athlete who will be missed most. Due to an operation she cannot compete in Baku’s inaugural European Games.

Last year’s finalist Natalia Kuziutina (1) from Russia is the highest seeded athlete and favourite. In May she won the IJF Masters in Rabat and won the PanAm Open in Montevideo in March.

But it’s not a done deal as Andreea Chitu (2) of Romania is also in a good shape and beat Kuziutina the last time in Abu Dhabi. They have already fought two European Championships final, in 2012 Chitu won, in 2013 in Budapest it was Kuziutina to take her third European title. The Russian was in five European finals. Chitu is drawn in a huge pool with Keylen, Krasniqi, Giuffrida and Ramos. Interesting schedule. Kiziutina has an easier ride.

Third seeded is Mareen Kraeh (3) of Germany who charged some confidence in Budapest at the Grand Prix two weeks ago with a golden victory. The 31-year old is not the youngest anymore but that seems typical for this category as Ilse Heylen is also going strong and seeking for her fourth Olympic qualification, but didn’t find her shape yet. She is paired with Gomez, Muller and Nareks.

French Annabelle Euranie (4), Joana Ramos, Laura Gomez and Jaana Sundberg (8) have a wealth of experience but perhaps the younger challengers in Gili Cohen, Distria Krasniqi and especially Odette Giuffrida (7) can beat the best. Enough names but the top women are Kuziutina and Chitu.