Author: Ewa Kempka
The latest Junior European Cup in Poznań saw Poland surge to the top of the medal table, combining consistency across the weight categories with a commanding presence throughout the competition. Yet this success is far from an isolated moment; it reflects a broader upward trajectory for Polish judo. To explore the story behind the results, we spoke with Bartosz Dobranowski, National Coach of the Junior Men’s Team, and Krzysztof Wiłkomirski, President of the Polish Judo Association.
Interview with Bartosz Dobranowski – National Coach of the Junior Men’s Team
Q: How do you assess the performance of the Polish team throughout the tournament and the final result in the medal standings?
BD: Looking at the number of medals, the performance of the Polish team was certainly very positive. Winning such a large number of medals, especially on home soil, is always very satisfying and confirms the strong preparation of the athletes.
Q: Which athlete performances were the biggest positive surprises during this European Cup?
BD: In the men’s team, special recognition goes to the gold medallists Jan Kolondra and Jakub Kobyliński, who delivered outstanding performances. Additionally, Szymon Brzuszczynski, Jakub Grubelski, and Paweł Świtała showed very good form, each winning their first junior medals on the European stage, which is a very promising sign for the future.
Q: What conclusions does the coaching staff draw from this event in the context of further preparations for upcoming international competitions?
BD: Some members of the national team already have their next competitions planned in Lignano and Istanbul. The performances in Poznań confirmed that it is worth continuing the direction established last year, as the current results show clear progress and positive development of the junior team.
The tournament in Poznań offered young judoka from across Europe a valuable opportunity to gain international experience and measure their level against a wide field of competitors. For Poland, the event delivered a series of assured performances and confirmed the strong form of several athletes across different categories.
Interview with Krzysztof Wiłkomirski – President of the Polish Judo Association
Q: Two days of competition are behind us and more medals have been added to Poland’s tally. How would you summarise the performance of your athletes at this tournament?
KW: Even before the tournament began, we were expecting a very strong performance from our team, but the final outcome and overall results exceeded our highest expectations. Our athletes fought not only effectively but above all very intelligently. In many contests they demonstrated their superiority not only in terms of technique, but also strategy, which is particularly encouraging from the perspective of their long-term development.
Q: Do such successful performances by young judoka confirm that Polish judo is moving in the right direction?
KW: For many years, the Polish team has been regularly winning medals at the Cadet European Championships, so it is only natural that some of this talented generation is now achieving success at the junior level as well. I sincerely hope that in the future we will see these athletes standing on the podium at European and World Championships in the senior category. We are not focused solely on results, the potential of the athletes is equally important to us. We carefully analyse their strengths and weaknesses in order to bring out the very best in them and help them achieve success at the highest level. Of course, the dream not only of the Polish Judo Association but also of all judo fans in Poland is an Olympic medal. The last Olympic medals for Poland in judo were won in Atlanta by Paweł Nastula, who claimed gold, and Aneta Szczepańska, who won silver, which is why we are all eagerly waiting for the next Olympic success.
Q: What goals are now ahead of the young Polish team in the coming months?
KW: Every young athlete dreams of winning medals at the European and World Championships, and these events are certainly their main targets at the moment. From our side, we will be happy with every medal they achieve, as each one represents another important step in building their future success in senior judo. We approach the athletes’ development with a long-term perspective, our primary objective is for them to become outstanding senior competitors and to achieve their greatest successes at the senior level.
Author: EJU Media