Estonia hopes for medals at last day of Junior Europeans in Tallinn

The third day of the Junior European Judo Championships in Tallinn promises to be a thrilling showcase, particularly for the home crowd, as Estonia's top judokas will compete in key categories. The spotlight will be on several divisions, including the women’s U78kg and +78kg categories, as well as the men’s U90kg, U100kg, and +100kg categories.

The Estonian fans will have much to cheer about with home favs Marek-Adrian Masak and Emma-Melis Aktas both competing. Masak, fresh from his success at the Cadet World Championships in Lima, will be taking on the +100kg category. His participation will be closely watched as he transitions to the junior level in front of a home audience. Emma-Melis Aktas will be in action in the +78kg category, also looking to build on her experience from Lima. Both athletes represent Estonia’s best hope for medals on this important day of competition.

Another key figure for Estonia is Jakob Vares, the highest-ranked junior judoka on the Estonian team, who will be competing in the U100kg category. Vares has the backing of the home crowd, which could give him the extra push needed to reach the podium.

In the U100kg category, Joes Schell (NED) is the top seed and a formidable competitor, having secured a bronze medal at the 2023 Junior World Championships. He is the one to beat in this category.

The +100kg category features another top-tier athlete in Ibrahim Tataroglu (TUR). At just 19, Tataroglu has already made a significant mark on the international judo scene. He won bronze medals at the 2023 Grand Slam in Antalya and the 2024 Grand Slam in Astana, as well as a silver medal at the 2023 Junior World Championships. At just 19 years old, Ibrahim was one of the youngest judokas to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he finished 9th in both the men's +100 kg event and the mixed team event. Despite his impressive resume, Tataroglu is not the top seed, Kanan Nasibov (AZE) holds that distinction. Tataroglu’s teammate Ramazan Ahmadov (AZE), the 2023 Cadet European champion, is also a rising star and will be looking to establish himself at the junior level.

In the U90kg category, Michal Wasikowski (POL) is considered the dominant figure. He has shown consistent performance, and the question remains whether he can maintain his dominance through the end of day three. Given the level of competition, this category could see some surprises.

The U78kg category is particularly strong for Germany, with Eva Ronja Buddenkotte and Mathilda Sophie Niemeyer as the top two seeds. Both athletes have shown their prowess in the lead-up to these championships, and their dominance in the division is evident. However, Finland’s Emma Krapu (FIN) could pose a challenge and is a strong contender for a medal.

In the +78kg category, Yuli Alma Mishiner (ISR) stands out as the top seed and world rank leader. At just 17, Mishiner has already made a name for herself by winning bronze at the junior European Championships last year and dominating in junior cups this year. With the guidance and inspiration of Raz Hershko, a decorated Israeli heavyweight who won silver at the Paris Olympics, Mishiner enters the competition with confidence and is a strong favorite to win.

Day three of the Junior European Judo Championships in Tallinn is shaping up to be a day of high drama and excitement. With top-ranked competitors, home favorites, and emerging talents all in action, the competition will be intense. Estonia’s judokas, especially Masak, Aktas, and Vares, will be hoping to make their mark on home soil, while other European judokas aim to assert their dominance in their respective categories.