The season is far from over for the judoka under 18 years old, the cadets who continue their pursuit of medals, ranking points, and progress. This weekend, between 18-19 October, the Latvian capital hosts the Riga ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup, expected to welcome more than 400 young competitors. With massive entry lists in the middleweight divisions up to -66kg and -73kg, both featuring over 60 judoka, the event promises a busy and competitive weekend. It marks the 11th Cadet European Cup of the season, with three more still to come before the year ends.
Since 2022, Riga has been part of the European Cup circuit, already, giving the platform to impressive champions who have gone on to succeed at senior level, including Estonia’s rising stars Emma-Melis Aktas and Marek Adrian Mäsak. The latter, last year’s Riga champion, recently finished fifth at the junior World Championships and continues to confirm his huge potential. Latvia itself is also on the rise, with strong recent results such as Dmitrijs Kolosovs’ bronze medal at the Cadet European Championships in the -90kg category and several top-five finishes at this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival.
Riga will once again host a true celebration of youth judo. Teams from Israel, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia arrive in force, while the home nation will field an impressive contingent of more than 50 judoka. Among the athletes to watch is Lithuania’s Tajus Baiacenko, one of the most successful cadets of the season. Competing in the -81kg category, he has already appeared in six finals this year, winning three European Cups. Baiacenko also claimed gold at the Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje in July, bronze at the European Championships, and another bronze at the Cadet World Championships in Sofia. Consistent, ambitious, and tireless, the Lithuanian will be a key figure once again, and this time, the travel distance is mercifully short.
All signs point to a weekend packed with talent, energy, and future champions. To follow all the action from the Riga Millennium Team Cadet European Cup, tune in to JudoTV.com.
Author: Hans Van Essen