The OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 launched in spectacular fashion, with the four lightest weight categories taking centre stage on day one: the girls’ -40kg and -44kg, and the boys’ -50kg and -55kg divisions. While Uzbekistan stole the show on the overall medal table, claiming an impressive three golds, Europe held its own, celebrating nine medals across seven nations.
The standout of the day was Nadezhda Mishenkina (IJF), who blazed her way to the -44kg world title with ruthless efficiency. Across four contests, she spent a total of just six minutes and four seconds on the tatami, dispatching her opponents with a blend of sharp ne-waza including her signature juji-gatame.
Her campaign began with a quick win over Katarina Goranovic (SRB), secured in an arm-lock little after the minute mark. Against Yang Zi-Yu (TPE), Mishenkina showcased her osae-komi skills, pinning her rival with a textbook Tate-shiho-gatame. The semi-final tested her most, as Fatma Zehra Meki (TUR) held her at bay for nearly two and a half minutes, but once again the juji-gatame sealed victory.
The final saw Mishenkina at her most clinical. Facing Livanur Kayir (TUR), she needed only 44 seconds to repeat the formula, juji-gatame, and claim the cadet world crown in style.
Joining Mishenkina and Kayir on the -44kg podium was Sandra Walendzik (POL), while Europe also enjoyed success elsewhere. In the boys’ -50kg, Anar Guliyev (AZE) delivered a bronze, while the -40kg saw a double celebration with Sema Nur Yuksel (TUR) taking silver and Fenne Peeters (BEL) bronze. Minus the gold medal, the -55kg podium was dominated by Europe, with Matteo Gualandi (ITA) securing silver, Adris Jakubauskas (LTU) and Aleksei Toptygin (IJF) adding bronzes.
The host nation Bulgaria came close, with Tsvetelin Martinov (-50kg) and Ivo Galenkov (-55kg) both finishing fifth. Day two promises more action beginning at 08:30 CET (+1). Fans can follow every contest live on judotv.com as Europe’s brightest young stars continue their chase for world glory.
Images: IJF/ Gabriela Sabau and Emanuele Di Feliciantonio
Author: Szandra Szogedi