Another weekend of exceptional judo skills were on display, this time at the European Judo Open Ljubljana. A total of 24 nations secured at least one medal, underlining once again the remarkable depth and quality delivered throughout the competition. The medals were shared between European countries and overseas visitors alike, highlighting the global reach and steady development of the sport. The margins on the medal table were narrow, reflecting not the dominance of a single nation but visible growth across the international field.
Italy ultimately finished top of the medal standings with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Uzbekistan followed in second place with two gold and three bronze medals, while Ukraine claimed third with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. So how did the day two final block unfold?
-81kg category
The first final of the day featured the -81kg category, represented by Aurelien Bonferroni (SUI) and Akhmed Turluev (RUS). The Swiss contender is certainly no stranger to the international scene, having competed regularly on the IJF World Tour. However, it has been some time since he last stood on a world ranking podium, November 2023, to be precise. Simply reaching this final must have felt like a breakthrough moment for the 23-year-old. As for 19-year-old Turluev, his recent résumé speaks volumes. A bronze medal at the 2025 Junior European Championships followed by a silver at the 2025 Junior World Championships.
The bout exploded into action with a powerful ashi-waza attack from Turluev. Bonferroni reacted instantly, firing back with a sharp and speedy uchi-mata. The intensity was not only visible, it was palpable. Moments later, a seoi-otoshi attempt from the Swiss athlete left him exposed and Turluev seized the opportunity, countering for waza-ari.
From there, the pace only escalated. Both judoka continued to push relentlessly, producing countless and commendable efforts, with several near-scoring exchanges keeping the crowd on edge. Ultimately, Turluev managed to maintain his advantage and secure the victory. The bronze medals were claimed by Dominic Rodriguez (USA) and Joshua De Lange (NED).
-48kg category
The -48kg final promised fireworks as Jana Cid Balcells (ESP) and Giulia Ghiglione (ITA) stepped on to the tatami. For Cid Balcells, the season had begun with disappointment at the European Open in Sofia just two weeks earlier. This performance, however, told a completely different story. Unseeded, she fought her way through the pool to book a place in the final, clear evidence of rapid progress and growing confidence.
Ghiglione, meanwhile, chose Ljubljana as the launchpad for her 2026 campaign. The 22-year-old Italian already boasts two U23 European medals (2024, 2025) and a Junior European medal from 2023. Both athletes had collected a single European Open medal prior to this event. On paper, the Italian appeared the favourite but this is judo, where nothing is ever guaranteed.
Ghiglione struck first, taking a yuko midway through the contest with a sharp tai-otoshi from a double-sleeve grip. With one minute remaining, Cid Balcells repeatedly drilled her yoko-tomoe-nage, searching for an opening. Experience seemed to be guiding Ghiglione safely to victory… until, with only seconds left on the clock, the Spaniard turned the tables and scored yuko to level the contest.
Golden score.
At the first ne-waza exchange, Cid Balcells immediately stretched for juji-gatame but Ghiglione defended well. As extra time unfolded, it felt as though a different Cid Balcells had emerged, more assertive, more consistent, her belief growing with every exchange. She relentlessly combined tomoe-nage entries with transitions into juji-gatame. Then, at 3:22 of golden score, persistence paid off. The juji-gatame finally broke through.
If one word defined this victory, it was consistency. Cid Balcells fought until the very last breath and was rewarded with a dramatic golden score triumph, a thoroughly deserved golden moment for the 23-year-old Spaniard. Bronze medals were secured by Coralie Gilly (FRA) and Sila Ersin (TUR).
-90kg category
The -90kg final saw Erlan Sherov (KGZ), a Paris 2024 Olympian, face multiple IJF World Tour medallist David Karapetyan (RUS). For the Russian team, it was an opportunity to secure back-to-back victories.
The opening minute was dominated by tactics, with both athletes carefully testing grips and movement. The referee issued a shido apiece, a clear warning that passivity would not be tolerated. Sherov responded instantly. Reading the situation perfectly, he dropped underneath with a sharp morote-seoi-nage and drove through to score ippon. Clinical. Decisive. Gold for Sherov. The bronze medals were claimed by Eniel Caroly (FRA) and Alisher Samanov (UZB).
-52kg category
It was not the first meeting between Ilaria Finestrone (ITA) and Alyssia Poulange (FRA) on the competition stage but this time the stakes were higher as they faced one another in the -52kg final. From the opening exchange, it was clear how evenly matched they were. The contest unfolded with intensity but remarkable balance, no scores and no penalties right up until the final 30 seconds of regular time, when the French judoka picked up the first shido. As the buzzer sounded to end normal time, Finestrone also received a penalty, levelling the scoreboard once more. Golden score would decide it.
Two minutes into extra time, Finestrone collected her second shido, placing the pressure squarely on her shoulders. She had no choice but to stay active and push forward. After more than three minutes of golden score, Poulange was also handed her second penalty. Both athletes were now one shido away from disqualification.
The tension finally broke at 5:19 of extra time, when the French judoka received her third and decisive penalty. Gold for Italy, silver for France. The bronze medals were claimed by Alice Bersellini (ITA) and Evelyn Beaton (CAN).
-100kg category
Unseeded, Peter Zilka (SVK) produced one of the standout runs of the day, outclassing top seed Martin Bezdek (CZE) on his way to the -100kg final. Notably, moving up a weight category, even if only temporarily, appeared to have worked out well. In the final. Zilka, he faced the number two seed, Omar Elramly (EGY), who arrived determined to take control of the category.
Their bout, however, was over almost before it had begun. Inside the opening minute, Zilka perfectly timed a counter to Elramly’s uchi-mata attempt, turning defence into attack and sealing victory in emphatic fashion. It was the fastest win of the day for Zilka and a powerful statement from the Slovak judoka, who last stepped on to an international podium in 2023. The bronze medals were secured by Benjamin Mataseje (SVK) and Mukhammadali Tangriev (UZB).
-57kg category
Sarah Souza (BRA) arrived with two Continental Open medals to her name, both earned in 2025 on the Pan-American circuit. Today, she added a new milestone, her first European Open medal. Not just any medal, gold. In the -57kg final, she faced 22-year-old Aysenur Budak (TUR), winner of the Asian Open in 2022.
Souza wasted no time. Within the first 40 seconds, she launched a powerful ko-uchi-maki-komi straight off the grip to take control. Just over a minute later, Budak was caught again by the very same technique. Clinical, commanding and decisive, it was all over. The bronze medals were claimed by Nika Tomc (SLO) and Pleuni Cornelisse (NED).
+100kg category
The +100kg final brought together two highly experienced heavyweights: Yakiv Khammo (UKR) and Mikita Sviryd (CRO). Both athletes are not only seasoned competitors but performers of genuine calibre and that mutual respect was evident from the outset.
They began cautiously, each collecting a shido within the first minute. Early in the second minute, Khammo broke the balance with sharp ashi-waza to score yuko and edge ahead. However, an unfortunate gripping error soon cost him a second penalty, opening the door tactically for Sviryd.
The Croatian, though, was unable to capitalise cleanly and also received a penalty shortly afterwards. With both men on the brink, the tension escalated. In the closing stages, it was Sviryd who picked up the third and decisive penalty, handing the gold medal to Khammo. Bronze medals were secured by Marvin Belz (GER) and Ibrahim Tataroglu (TUR).
The European Open Tour continues on 14-15 March in Warsaw, Poland. Stay tuned for full event previews and watch all live action via JudoTV.com.
Author: Szandra Szogedi