Author: Yiannis Chatzidopavlakis
The opening day of the Thessaloniki ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup 2025 was defined by the remarkable success of the independent athletes competing under the IJF flag, who reached two finals and ultimately claimed one gold and one silver, placing them at the top of the medal table. A total of 572 judoka from 34 countries are taking part in the Thessaloniki event, which brings the curtain down on the Cadet European Cup series for 2025.
Amirkhan Gadanov triumphed in the -50kg category, while Alina Gadanova secured silver in the -48kg class. Georgia, last year’s overall winner, also reached two finals but was limited to two silver medals (and an equal number of bronze). Israel and Moldova each collected one gold and three bronzes, while France and Belgium finished with one gold and one bronze apiece. Belgium’s success came courtesy of athletes who had already climbed the podium earlier in the year at the OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 Individuals, held last August in the Bulgarian capital.
Fenne Peeters, who placed third at both the OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 Individuals and the Millennium Team European Cadet Championships Skopje 2025 Individuals, had no difficulty reaching the top of the podium in the -44kg category, despite it being her first competition in this weight class, having previously competed at -40kg.
“It was a great finale to 2025. It was my first year in cadets and the success came through hard work. The organisation was excellent and I am happy that in my first competition at -44kg I managed to win gold. It was a big challenge with new conditions because of the category change. Next year I will continue in -44kg and I hope for many more important successes. I am preparing myself for them,” said Peeters.
Meanwhile, Maelys Dapa, silver medallist in the -48kg category at the OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 Individuals and ranked No. 4 in the WRL, secured bronze despite an unexpected opening-round defeat to Xenia Vainer (MDA), who also went on to finish third.
“I came to win gold. I thought I could do it. It was unexpected to lose my first match but once I advanced through the repechage, I was determined to make the podium and I did. The bar remains high for cadets and for next year. 2025 was just the start. It was my first time in Greece and I really liked it. I will come back to claim what I missed this year,” said Dapa.
Greece had three opportunities to medal on the opening day of the Thessaloniki Millennium Cadet European Cup 2025, ultimately securing silver through Veroniki Iosifidou, who delivered a stellar run in the -52kg category. The Greek judoka third at the Antalya Millennium Team Cadet European Cup 2025 achieved Greece’s best result at this event across both this year and last, yet she remained far from satisfied.
“In the final I wanted to execute a technique but in the end it didn’t work and then came the defeat. I am not happy, even though I was in the medals. My year didn’t go the way I wanted. I had high goals that weren’t achieved in EYOF, the Worlds, the Europeans. Medals in smaller competitions are not enough for me. I know I deserve more. For the new year, I won’t say much. May it go as God wills,” said Iosifidou.
There was a distinctly Greek touch within the Australian delegation in Thessaloniki. Stefanos Georgiadis, former Greek champion and now a coach in Australia, returned to his birthplace accompanied by his two children and another athlete from his club. His 16-year-old son, Daniel Georgiadis, competed today in the -66kg category, alongside teammate Benjamin Pollak.
“It’s wonderful to return to your homeland and see old friends and teammates. I was moved. It’s great to compete in major international tournaments held in the country where you were born. The organisers deserve many congratulations,” said Stefanos Georgiadis.
Follow all actions of the second and final day of the event via JudoTV.com.
Author: EJU Media