It was an elite final for the -70kg category between he current World Champion, Margaux PINOT (FRA) and the 2023 World silver medallist, Giovanna SCOCCIMARRO (GER). With the expertise of both, it was somewhat unsurprising that the battle ensued deep in to golden score, and was decided on shidos, both ceded two but a third was issued to Scoccimarro to conclude the contest.
Katarzyna SOBIERAJSKA (POL) is on a roll, after taking her first Grand Slam medal only last week, she has continued on her medal haul, defeating Gioia VETTERLI (SUI) in the -70kg bronze medal contest. On the adjoining tatami, Austria’s rising star Elena DENGG had a tough job, dealing with Joana CRISOSTOMO (POR). It was a marginal win, only a yuko score was the difference between leaving with a medal or going home empty handed, and in the end, Dengg was the athlete to claim the win, doubling up her offence, an uchi mata followed by a harai attack delivered her second continental open medal.
Hopes were high on day one of the La Nucia European Open 2025, as Jaione EQUISOAIN (ESP) stepped on to the tatami, fighting for the -63kg gold medal against Gaetane DEBERDT (FRA). It wasn’t until the final minute that Deberdt managed to find a way to tie up Equisoain in ne waza and hold on for the clock to tick away, awarding her effort the gold.
Bronze medals went to Melodie TURPIN (FRA) who won her head to head in ne waza, and on the other side, Kamile NALBAT (NED) defeated Julie FALGON (FRA) with some timely ashi waza.
Like Sobierajska at -70kg, Emma REID (GBR) was coming in off a high after a tremendous Grand Slam win in Dushanbe. today she brought the same energy to go in to the final of the -78kg category against Oceane ZATCHI BI (FRA). A sharp ko soto gari gave Reid an early yuko score which was enough to earn her the La Nucia European Open gold medal, another to add to her collection.
Beatriz MOREIRA (POR) must have felt good to be awarded a waza ari her bronze medal contest against Anna KAZAKOVA (UKR), until the score went the other way. Moreira tried to bring it back, attacking with sasae tsuri komi ashi but unfortunately lost the control, and was countered with o uchi gari. Pauline DZIOPA (POL) took the second bronze, scoring waza ari against Rafaella IGL (GER) using drop seoi nage, and managing to defend it until the clock ran down.
It was another French win, this time in the +78kg category from Lea FONTAINE. The top seed defeated Samira BOUIZGARNE (GER) by catching her in osaekomi, however was in control for the opening of the contest, Bouizgarne picked up two shidos before the end.
France secured yet another medal, this time from Celia CANCAN, who scored waza ari with uchi mata against Paulien SWEERS (NED). Kinga WOLSZCZAK (POL) took the second bronze medal, scoring multiple times against New Zealand’s Sydnee ANDREWS. First scoring yuko with tani otoshi before following up with a drop seoi nage that scored waza ari. To conclude the contest Wolszczak stuck it out in the osaekomi.
France finished up top of the medal table, followed by hosts Spain and Ukraine in third position.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen