Kick-off day one of the European Championships in Zagreb

The Senior European Judo Championships 2024 in Zagreb are set to begin with a bang, featuring a staggering entry of 439 judoka from 47 nations ready to battle it out for glory from April 25th to 28th. Despite the challenges posed by the Olympic year, the championships promise to be a showcase of top-tier judo talent. Day one of the championships will see the men's -60kg and -66kg categories take center stage, with a lineup of formidable athletes vying for the coveted European titles.

In the -60kg category, all eyes will be on top-seeded Romain Valadier Picard from France, who has already made his mark on the senior circuit with multiple Grand Slam medals. However, he faces tough competition from contenders like Salih Yildiz from Turkey and Ramazan Abulaev from Azerbaijan.

The -66kg category is equally stacked with talent, with Azerbaijan's Yashar Najafov leading the pack. Olympic silver medalist Vazha Margvelashvili from Georgia and Spanish sensation David Garcia Torne are among the favorites to challenge Najafov for the title.

The women's -48kg category promises intense competition, with Olympic hopefuls Milica Nikolic from Serbia and Laura Martinez Abelenda from Spain leading the charge. However, they face stiff competition from rising stars like Catarina Costa from Portugal and Sabina Giliazova (AIN).

In the -57kg category, Eteri Liparteliani from Georgia is set to make history as she aims for the European title. She faces strong competition from the likes of Marica Perisic from Serbia and Timna Nelson Levy from Israel.

With a lineup of top-tier athletes and fierce competition expected in every category, the Senior European Judo Championships 2024 in Zagreb are sure to provide thrilling matches and unforgettable moments for judo enthusiasts around the world.

Profile Distria Krasniqi (KOS)

Krasniqi, one of the trio of Kosovan Olympic champions, initially triumphed at -48 kg in Rio before transitioning to -52 kg. Excelling in her new weight class, she has consistently graced the podium since the switch. Following in the footsteps of her predecessor, Kelmendi, who now coaches for Kosovo, Krasniqi has inherited an impressive legacy. A victory in Paris would elevate her to an exclusive list of judo athletes who have won more than one Olympic gold medal, a feat made even more remarkable by the challenge of achieving it in two different weight classes, akin to Krpalek's accomplishment. However, she faces tough competition, with Abe (JPN) also vying for a second gold and Buchard aiming to improve upon her performance in Tokyo. Keldiyorova has proven herself undaunted by Krasniqi's prowess, setting the stage for an intense battle.