Europe dominated the opening day of the Zagreb Grand Prix 2025, sweeping all five gold medals across the women’s -48kg, -52kg, -57kg divisions and the men’s -60kg and -66kg categories. Spain topped the medal count with two titles, while France, Serbia, and Kosovo each secured one.
-48kg Category
The final brought together two European judoka: Laura Espadinha (FRA) and Eva Perez Soler (ESP). Perez Soler struck first with a sharp counter, small in movement but big enough to take the lead. Moments later she doubled her advantage, scoring again with a precise ko-soto-gari for a second yuko.
From there she shifted into defensive mode, picking up two quick penalties for passivity and nearly a third before the clock saved her. When time expired, Perez Soler claimed the gold, Espadinha settled for silver, and Andrea Stojadinov (SRB) and Lois Petit (BEL) completed an all-European podium with bronze medals.
-60kg Category
France was guaranteed gold in this category as Romain Valadier Picard and Enzo Jean faced off in an all-French final. With no French women reaching a final on day one, a rare scenario, the men rose to the occasion.
The contest started cautiously, both athletes receiving penalties for gripping infringements. Jean picked up another penalty in the third minute, putting him under pressure. Valadier Picard seemed in control until a poorly placed seoi-otoshi handed Jean a golden opportunity. Jean countered immediately, lifting and rolling him cleanly for a yuko.
With just 41 seconds remaining, the score held, giving Enzo Jean his first Grand Prix gold, an upset against the run of play. Bronze medals went to Huseyn Allahyarov (AZE) and Luis Barroso Lopez (ESP), marking yet another fully European podium.
-52kg Category
Top seed Distria Krasniqi delivered exactly what was expected, powering through all four contests to secure gold. From her very first grip, the 2021 Olympic champion at -48kg asserted total dominance, big throws, sharp tactical choices and full composure defined her day.
Reka Pupp (HUN) tried to disrupt the rhythm with fast early attacks but Krasniqi remained unshaken. Patient yet constantly active, she waited for her moment, then unleashed a clean o-soto-gake for ippon. With that, the gold, the points, and the statement performance were hers.
Roza Gyertyas (HUN) and Gaia Stella (ITA) stepped onto the podium for bronze, sealing yet another all-European lineup.
-66kg Category
The -66kg division delivered some of the day’s most dynamic judo, fast, explosive, and stylistically diverse. Elios Manzi (ITA) and David Garcia Torne (ESP) had already lit up the morning session, with the Spaniard in particular showing enormous throwing power.
The final continued in that same spirit, both chasing a decisive ippon. Ultimately Garcia Torne produced the moment of the bout: a sudden, expertly directed kata-guruma that secured the gold medal. Bence Pongracz (HUN) and Boyan Yotov (BUL) claimed the bronze medals, keeping Europe’s perfect streak intact.
-57kg Category
The final contest of day one saw Marica Perisic (SRB) take on Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO), giving the home crowd a reason to roar. A host-nation medal on the opening day is always a welcome boost, and Puljiz’s arrival on the tatami was met with loud, proud support.
Both judoka set a strong pace early but Puljiz struggled to maintain it. With 90 seconds remaining, Perisic caught her with a seoi-otoshi for a yuko, then shortly after sealed the contest with another seoi-otoshi using an unorthodox grip. Gold went to Perisic and Serbia, while Puljiz earned a celebrated silver in front of her home fans.
Nika Tomc (SLO) and Binta Ndiaye (SUI) secured the bronzes, and with that, Europe officially closed the opening day in Zagreb with a flawless record, every medal up for grabs stayed on the continent.
Source and Images: IJF
Author: Szandra Szogedi