This weekend, Prague will host the next edition of the European Open series, one of the most established and historic events on the judo calendar. First held in the early 1990s, the tournament has been running for more than 30 years and remains a popular stop for athletes chasing valuable world ranking points.
With more than 400 competitors expected, this edition could be one of the busiest in recent memory. Only in 2022 did Prague welcome a larger field, when over 500 judoka competed. Czech judo has celebrated only a handful of home victories over the years. Its most famous star, double Olympic champion Lukas Krpalek, captured the Prague Open title four times, while Radka Stusakova achieved the same feat in the 1990s. More recently, David Dudy brought home a bronze medal in 2024 at -100 kg.
In the 2025 edition, some weight categories will feature more than 50 entries, underlining the depth of competition. France, traditionally the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, arrives with a delegation of over 60 athletes, far larger than the host nation or strong squads from Ukraine, Israel, and the Netherlands. Since 1989, French judoka have claimed 41 gold medals and 131 podium finishes, far ahead of Germany with 27 victories and over 100 medals. Japan, though participating less frequently, has proven highly efficient, also tallying 27 wins.
Alongside national success stories, individual records shine through. Krpalek, Stusakova, and Germany’s heavyweight legend Sandra Köppen are the all-time top scorers with four titles each.
France, which secured six gold medals in Prague last year, will be the team to watch again. Defending champions Coralie Gilly, Lea Metrot, and Ophelie Vellozzi are all set to return, competing on the second day in the lightweight women’s divisions.
The competition opens Saturday with the men’s lightweight categories and the heavier women’s divisions. On Sunday, the spotlight shifts to the lightweight women and men’s heavier weight classes as the UNYP Arena hosts what promises to be another top weekend of judo in the Czech capital. Watch all actions live online via JudoTV.com.
Author: Hans Van Essen
Author: EJU Media