Day Two of European Judo Championships 2024: Excitement Peaks in Zagreb

As the European Judo Championships 2024 in Zagreb enter their second day, anticipation is at its peak with four highly competitive weight categories set to take the stage. Among these, the men's -73kg category stands out as the most populated, promising fierce battles for supremacy.

All eyes will be on defending European Champion Hidayat Heydarov from Azerbaijan, who boasts an impressive resume including three senior titles, as well as U23, junior, and cadet accolades. With four gold medals in his past five events, Heydarov is a force to be reckoned with, aiming for a third consecutive title. However, he faces stiff competition from seasoned athletes such as Lasha Shavdatuashvili from Georgia, the 2012 Olympic Champion, who recently clinched the Grand Slam gold in Tbilisi.

The competition remains fierce beyond the top seeds, with judokas like Giorgi Chikhelidze from Georgia and Akil Gjakova from Kosovo poised to challenge the favorites. Moldovan athlete Petru Pelivan, along with his teammate Adil Osmanov, also present formidable opposition in the -73kg category.

In the -81kg category, the return of Tato Grigalashvili from Georgia adds to the excitement, as he vies for his third senior title after a five-month hiatus from competition. However, he faces tough competition from contenders like Zelim Tkcaev from Azerbaijan and Olympic medalist Shamil Borchashvili from Austria. Defending champion Vedat Albayrak from Turkey will also be looking to retain his title amidst a field of strong competitors.

Outside of the seeded positions, judokas like Alpha Oumar Djalo from France and Joao Fernando from Portugal bring their own brand of excitement to the tatami, promising thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes.

As the action unfolds in Zagreb, judo enthusiasts can expect nothing short of exhilarating displays of skill, determination, and sportsmanship from some of Europe's finest athletes.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the European Judo Championships 2024 as the competition heats up in the Croatian capital.