The final day of individual competition at the Millennium Team European Judo Championships Cadets Skopje 2025 saw the boys take to the tatami in the remaining three upper weight categories: -81kg, -90kg, and +90kg. The day proved to be nothing short of eventful, featuring spectacular performances and history-making moments as the finalists emerged.
“I dedicate this win to my nephew.“
Number four seed, Timur Aliev (IJF) and number three seed, Giorgi Mumladze (GEO) went head to head in the final of the -81kg category. Aliev struggled in the early stages of the contest, with his opponent dominating every grip exchange. The pressure mounted on him with each passing round and exchange. Securing a left-hand grip on his opponent’s back became crucial for Aliev to stay in the fight, yet Mumladze continued to outmaneuver him. As the bout entered its final minute of regular time, Aliev managed to break through and score a yuko, taking the lead. With precisely 24 seconds remaining, Mumladze was under pressure to respond. Though Aliev still held the advantage, the yuko was soon withdrawn. Just ten seconds later, Mumladze seized control, countering effectively to score a decisive yuko of his own, securing both the individual win and for Team Georgia. He later shared his emotions;
“I am happy, thank you to everyone, to the whole team and everyone who supported me. This was so difficult. I had just a little bit of time left, and when my opponent threw me for yuko, I told myself: ‘I am a warrior, and I fight until the end.’ I succeeded. I dedicate this win to my nephew. Thank you all.”
Bronze medal winners of the -81lg category are Nikola Obradovic (SRB) and Tajus Babaicenko (LTU).
“It’s just a surreal feeling.”
The first and only time Lithuania claimed gold at the Cadet European Championships was in 2009, when Renalda Gedutytė triumphed in the -63kg category. Until now, no male judoka had ever secured this title for the country. As the final of the -90kg category was set to begin, top seed and 2024 cadet European silver medallist, Majus Genys (LTU), was fully aware of both the challenge ahead and the historic significance of a potential victory against third seed Abdula Suleimanov (IJF).
Around one minute and thirty seconds into the contest, Genys countered an attack with a perfectly timed ura-nage, scoring waza-ari. However, the bout remained tense, with Suleimanov threatening on several occasions. With just seconds remaining, Suleimanov launched a final, desperate attack but Genys capitalised, countering decisively for ippon with five seconds left on the clock. Gold for Genys, the first ever for a Lithuanian male judoka at this level. His first act off the mat? A phone call to his mum.
“Yes it was my mom I called after the final. She was crying so much. I have never seen her cry this much. She is so happy. I don’t know, it’s just a surreal feeling. I mean, I want everyone to experience it, like, you train so hard, sacrifice everything, and when you become champion, it’s the best feeling.
“It feels amazing to be the first ever male to win this championship. I cannot describe this feeling. I work so hard, everyone in my family, my coaches, my teammates, everyone, they helped me do this, and I’m so grateful that I can be the first champion.
“Last year when I took second, I told my father, ‘This is the best feeling,’ and I said, ‘I’m going back to Macedonia to feel the same feeling again.’ And it’s even better now, so much better.”
Bronze medallists of the -90kg category are Apti Utsiev (IJF) and Dmitrijs Kolosovs (LAT).
“Holding On for Dear Life“
The top four seeds, and with them, the expectations, in the +90kg category quickly unravelled during the preliminary rounds. Instead, it was Denis Kuligin (IJF) and Csermák Dániel (HUN) who emerged to contest the final.
The Hungarian judoka had shown exceptional form throughout the earlier rounds and carried that momentum into the final. Within the first 40 seconds, a well-executed tani-otoshi earned him a yuko lead. A minute and a half into the contest, Csermák capitalised on an opportunity in ne-waza, securing an osae-komi-waza to claim victory and the gold medal. As he held his opponent down, Csermák later revealed the thoughts running through his mind:
“I told myself: even if I collapse here, even if I pass out here, I have to hold on to that grip. There was no other option. I truly can’t describe how good this feels.
“It feels amazing! Honestly, I still don’t fully realise what just happened. All I remember is that I managed to turn him over and hold him down, that’s all that’s really clear in my mind right now. I have no idea how I pulled it off. It was incredible, it was my first time, and I’m still lost for words. My head is still full of thoughts about which grip to take, where to reach, it’s overwhelming. What an unbelievable experience. I had never fought him [Kuligin] before. He had incredibly strong grips, once he caught you, you really felt it.
“Everything, all the feeling comes flooding in. It’s an incredible feeling, but it’s also so hard. It takes serious preparation. By the end, I was in the mindset that even if it came down to a hold-down or anything else, I had to make it stick. For my honour. There was no way this could end in defeat. It was amazing. If I would dedicate this medal to someone it would be my family and my coaches.”
Bronze medal winners of the +90kg category are Giorgi Karchaidze (GEO) and Ioane Abalaki (GEO).
Athletes representing the International Judo Federation topped the overall medal table with a haul of four gold, four silver, and six bronze medals. Azerbaijan finished second in the individual events, collecting three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Georgia claimed third place with two gold, one silver, and four bronze medals.
Images: Gabi Juan / Carlos Ferreira
Author: Szandra Szogedi