A Thrilling Start to the Season in Ljubljana

The 2025 judo season is set to kick off in spectacular fashion this weekend with the European Open in Ljubljana, where 419 judoka from 31 nations will compete in what promises to be an action-packed event. While Slovenia has a strong reputation for hosting major judo tournaments—including past Junior European and World Championships—this marks the first time the country will organize a European Open at the senior level.

Home Favorites and Top Contenders  
Among the top-ranked competitors, home favorite Metka Lobnik (#18 WRL, -78kg) will look to impress in front of her fans after her Portugal Grand Prix silver medal. She will be joined by rising Slovenian talent Kaja Schuster (-70kg), who claimed Junior World bronze in 2024. Another name to watch is Kaja Kajzer (-63kg), a European finalist in the -57kg category last year—raising questions about whether this category switch is permanent.  
International Talents and Category Shake-Ups  
Several exciting names from the junior circuit are stepping up to test their skills at the senior level. Nino Loladze (GEO, -57kg), a Junior and U23 European finalist and Senior Mixed Team World bronze medallist, will be aiming to make her mark. Switzerland’s Binta Ndiaye and Canada’s Kelly Deguchi are also set to debut in this division.  
The men’s categories also feature compelling stories. In the highly competitive -73kg division, Jack Yonezuka (USA, #18 WRL) leads an impressive field of 63 judoka. Meanwhile, Serbia’s Nikolina Nisavic (-52kg), a Junior European Champion, has already shown promise at the senior level, winning a Senior European Cup gold and European Open bronze last year.  
For Ukraine, some notable category changes add intrigue. In -66kg, opponents will need to watch out for Nazar Viskov (UKR), a Junior and U23 European Champion in the -60kg category who is making his senior move. The -73kg category will also be an exciting battleground, with competitors keeping an eye on Bogdan Iadov, a Senior European Champion and Paris Grand Slam winner.  
A Promising Start to 2025  
With a mix of established names, promising juniors stepping into the senior ranks, and intriguing weight category shifts, the European Open Ljubljana is shaping up to be an electrifying opener for the 2025 judo season. The Slovenian capital is ready to showcase some of the world’s best emerging talent, setting the tone for another thrilling year in the sport