The second and final day of the ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup Bielsko-Biała 2026 was a real showdown. From the opening contests of the morning session to the final gold medal celebrations, the atmosphere inside the hall never dropped. Young judoka from across Europe and beyond produced fearless performances, skilful throws and remarkable determination, proving once again why Bielsko-Biała has become such an important stop on the cadet calendar.
After two intense days of competition, Azerbaijan finished on top of the medal standings with an impressive collection of two gold, four silver and seven bronze medals. Kazakhstan followed closely behind with two gold, three silver and ten bronze medals, while Ukraine secured third place overall thanks to two gold and three bronze medals.
For the home crowd, however, the defining moment of the day arrived in the girls’ -57 kg category.
As Jagoda Ciupek stepped onto the top of the podium, the sound of “Mazurek Dąbrowskiego” filled the arena and instantly transformed the venue into an emotional sea of celebration. The 15-year-old Polish judoka delivered one of the standout performances of the competition to claim gold in front of her home supporters, creating a memory unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Jagoda Ciupek Delivers a Special Moment for Poland
Q: First of all, congratulations on winning gold in the -57 kg category here in Bielsko-Biała. You are only 15 years old, what emotions are going through your mind right now?
Jagoda Ciupek: Thank you very much. I’m really happy. There were so many emotions after the final. Hearing the applause from the crowd and standing on top of the podium was something very special for me.
Q: How do your preparations look before tournaments?
Jagoda Ciupek: I train six times a week. We work on everything during training, technique, strength, conditioning and randori. There isn’t one single element that decides success.
Q: Many athletes say they have one strongest point in their judo. What would you say is the key to your success?
Jagoda Ciupek: I think this success is mainly thanks to the people around me. My coach Jan Mańka, my parents, Mahir Abuldajew, my second coach Bartek Naczyński and our club president Małgorzata Neuman. Without them, it would not be possible.
Another standout performance came in the boys’ -90 kg category, where Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) continued his impressive form on the international stage.
The Lithuanian talent, already victorious at the Poznań Junior Cup earlier this season, once again demonstrated maturity way beyond his years as he powered his way to another gold medal. As the day progressed, Babaicenko grew stronger with every contest, combining explosive attacks with confidence and tactical intelligence.
Tajus Babaicenko Continues His Golden Run
Q: At the Poznań Junior Cup and now here in Bielsko-Biała, you have won gold again. How does it feel to become champion at another major international tournament?
Tajus Babaicenko: It feels amazing. I prepared very hard for this competition and, honestly, I always have gold in my mind. I’m happy, my parents are proud, my coach is proud and I’m proud of myself too.
Q: Your performances today were very impressive, especially in the final. Did you feel stronger and more confident as the tournament progressed?
Tajus Babaicenko: At the beginning of the day, it was a little difficult because I had to quickly move from one fight to another but after a few matches, I really started to feel myself. I felt I could use more techniques and adapt differently against each opponent. I try to be explosive. I want to use my strength together with my techniques as effectively as possible.
Q: Many athletes say the hardest moments are often between fights. What emotions did you experience during the day?
Tajus Babaicenko: Today, between the fights, I was hungry. Not only hungry for food, but hungry for the gold medal.
Q: Is there anything you would like to say at the end?
Tajus Babaicenko: I’m very thankful that we can have competitions like this and opportunities to prove ourselves on the tatami.
As the final medals were awarded and the arena slowly emptied, it was clear that the future of European judo is already arriving fast. Bielsko-Biała once again showcased not only exceptional talent but also the passion, ambition and emotional moments that continue to make cadet judo one of the most exciting levels of the sport.
Authors: Eryk & Kacper Gaweł
Author: EJU Media