With less than six weeks to go before the Senior European Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro, the top contenders for titles are rounding up in the Nymburk OTC this week. Many of them are in fact coming off the back of the Upper Austria Grand Prix, which for some was their return to competition following the Olympic Games in Paris.
With a total of 824 athletes from 36 nations registered for the training camp, there will be high volume randori for not only the top judoka, but also for the younger generation hoping to go toe to toe with their idols. The numbers aren’t only made up from Team Europe either, with many travelling from further afield to remain on the European circuit a little longer; Australia, Kazakhstan, Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Lebanon, South Africa and the United States of America.
Looking to make the final adjustments is the Upper Austria Grand Prix gold medallist in the +100kg category is one major idol, Guram TUSHISHVILI (GEO) who was on fire on the third day of competition, rallying a great crowd to cheer him on against the double Olympic Champion, Lukas KRPALEK (CZE), who had a tribune of support himself. On this occasion, the win went to the Georgian athlete, but he will wanting to take the win in the prime event in Podgorica.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen