Pila host of the U23 European Championships

The U23 European Judo Championships in Pila, Poland, will provide a critical platform for emerging judo talents to transition onto the senior tour. Many young judokas, including recent Cadet and Junior champions, are set to compete, showcasing the depth of talent moving into higher competition levels. Notable competitors across weight categories include Olympic, World, and European titleholders, adding both high stakes and visibility to the event.

In the women's categories, Olympic bronze medallist Tara Babulfath from Sweden will compete in the -48kg, marking her return to the mat. Croatia’s Ana Viktorija Puljiz, a 2021 U23 European champion, is stepping up to the -57kg category after a successful run in the -52kg category. Likewise, in the -63kg division, Georgia’s Eter Askilashvili, a recent World Mixed Team medalist, and Austria’s Junior World Champion Elena Dengg in -70kg will bring experience and championship-level momentum to the competition. Germany's Samira Bock and Anna Monta Olek, both title-holders at the U23 level and experienced on the Grand Slam circuit, are also strong contenders in the -70kg and -78kg categories, respectively. Representing Türkiye in the +78kg is Hilal Ozturk, currently #8 in the world rankings, who will aim to leave a mark following her Olympic near-miss.

On the men’s side, the -60kg category will feature Ukraine's Nazar Viskov, fresh from his European Cadet victory, with Poland’s Jakub Kurowski also representing the host nation after a strong Cadet season. In the -66kg division, top prospects like Georgia’s Tengo Zirakashvili, 2023 Junior European Champion, and Muhammed Demirel from Turkey add intrigue. Georgia’s Giorgi Terashvili and Hungary’s Daniel Szegedi, both accomplished at the Junior level, will compete in the highly competitive -73kg. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s Omar Rajabli, a Baku Grand Slam silver medallist, promises excitement in the -81kg category.

The heavier weights bring rising stars like Mihail Latishev of Moldova in -90kg, with Junior European Champions Miljan Radulj (SRB) and Lars Van Oostrum (NED) adding strength. In the -100kg, Ukraine’s Nikita Yudanov and Italy’s Jean Carletti will aim to leverage their Junior European experience. Finally, the +100kg category will see athletes like Estonia’s Marek-Adrian Masak, the Cadet European Champion, take on seasoned competitors such as Irakli Demetrashvili from Georgia, the 2021 Junior World Champion.

Poland's own talented competitors will be looking to make their mark on home soil, particularly Jakub Kurowski in -60kg and Zuzanna Banaszewska in the -78kg, both Cadet Champions who have impressed on the international stage. For Poland’s Katarzyna Sobierajska in -70kg, this U23 event will serve as a farewell to the U23 stage, as she seeks to conclude her junior career with a final title in front of her home supporters.