Current senior top athletes won European title in cadets in 2015

The Cadet European Championships 2024 in Sofia will feature 276 young men in 8 categories over three days. Bulgaria, already hosting senior European titleholders like in 2015. Some of the Champions in Sofia in 2015 were Manuel Lombardo, who now will fight for a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Also champion in Sofia in 2015 were current world champion Zelym Kotsoiev (fighting for Ukraine) and Inal Tasoev, the current heavyweight title candidate.

In this tournament for young boys in the men's -50kg category, Azerbaijan's Bahadir Feyzullayev (#3 WRL) and Mahammadali Husiyev (#15 WRL) double the nation's chances. France's Axel Cuq, younger brother of 2019 Cadet European Champion Pauline Cuq, stands between them, with Ivo Galenkov of Bulgaria completing the top four, enjoying home crowd support.

In the men's -55kg category, Gal Blazic (SLO), a 2023 Cadet European bronze medallist, eyes the final. However, he faces stiff competition from Nihad Mamishov (AZE), the reigning Cadet World Champion in the -50kg category. Kunyik Botond (HUN) and Khazar Heydarov (UKR) are also strong contenders, each aiming to leave their mark.

Israel's chances in the men's -60kg category are bolstered by top seed Izhak Ashpiz and WRL #5 Shalev Cohen. Ashpiz, the reigning Cadet World Champion, and Cohen, with two golds this year, will face WRL #3 Jakub Kurowski (POL) and Veljko Varnicic (SRB) in a highly competitive bracket.

Georgia's Giorgi Givishvili, never without a medal, leads the men's -66kg category, followed by consistent performer Rufus Barske (GER), Illia Nazarenko (UKR), and experienced Alexander Marlov (SWE).

Serbia's Bogdan Velickovic, on a winning streak, leads the men's -73kg category, with Noah Boue (FRA), Aleksandrs Avdejevs (LAT), and Mehdi Salah (FRA) in close pursuit.

These Championships in Sofia again promise exciting matches and the emergence of new future judo stars.