The opening day of the Conegliano European Open 2025 saw action from the lighter men’s weight categories: -60kg, -66kg, and -73kg. It was a day of mixed emotions and intense contests, capped off with a double celebration for the host nation, Italy, who struck gold in two divisions.
In the -60kg category, the final featured the expected top two seeds, Artem Lesiuk (UKR) and Vincent Limare (FRA), both delivering strong and confident performances on their way to the gold medal contest. Lesiuk, who won this event last year (then held in Rome), was aiming to defend his title, while Limare was hunting for his sixth continental open victory. Just over two minutes into their final bout, the contest turned into a fierce ne-waza battle. Limare worked his way into a well-controlled okuri-eri-jime, forcing a tough defence from Lesiuk. Despite the Ukrainian’s resistance, the Frenchman showed excellent control and patience, eventually securing the submission and claiming victory. With that, Vincent Limare stood tall as the -60kg champion, celebrating his sixth European Open gold.
In the -66kg category, the final offered an unexpected pairing, Giuseppe De Tullio (ITA) versus Kollar Sebestyén (HUN). De Tullio, fuelled by home support, produced an impressive run through the rounds, while Kollar mirrored that form to reach his first European Open final.
The final contest began with tense kumi-kata exchanges as neither fighter wanted to give ground. By the second minute, both had picked up penalties for passivity, and something had to change. The fight remained cautious but fully committed, leading to golden score. In extra time, the pace rose dramatically, attacks came from both sides with lightning speed. At 2:47 into golden score, Kollar received a final penalty, handing victory, and a roar of celebration, to Giuseppe De Tullio, who delivered Italy’s first gold of the tournament.
The -73kg category brought another Italy–Hungary showdown, with Leonardo Valeriani (ITA) facing Gábor Áron (HUN). Valeriani, the top seed, entered as favourite, but Gábor had been in inspired form, powering through his pool with confidence.
The final was closely contested from the start, and after regular time expired with no score, the pair entered golden score with Gábor holding one shido. The tempo increased sharply in extra time, both athletes pushing the pace and attacking relentlessly. Then, just before the end of the first minute of golden score, Valeriani seized his chance, pulling Gábor into a sumi-gaeshi for waza-ari, securing victory and Italy’s second gold medal of the day.
The second and final day of the Conegliano European Open 2025 will feature the remaining men’s categories: -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, and +100kg. Watch all the action live on JudoTV.com.
Author: Szandra Szogedi