On the opening day of the 2025 European Open in Tallinn, the spotlight was firmly on local favourite, 17-year-old Emma-Melis Aktas. Fresh off an impressive fifth-place finish at the Senior World Championships in Budapest, the young Estonian judoka advanced steadily through the +78kg field, delighting the home crowd with each round. In the final, she faced a familiar opponent: Sydnee Andrews of New Zealand.
The pair had previously met at the 2024 edition of the Tallinn European Open, where Aktas emerged victorious. Since then, both athletes have enjoyed significant upward trajectories in their careers. Aktas’s recent world-level performance positioned her as a clear contender for gold on home soil. However, on this occasion, it was Andrews who had the edge, securing the win and denying the Estonian a repeat victory.
Post-Final Reflections with Emma-Melis Aktas
We spoke with Aktas following the medal ceremony to get her reaction and thoughts on her journey so far.
How are you feeling after today?
“Of course, I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t give the home crowd a gold medal like last year, but it will motivate me to work even harder. My grip wasn’t great today, and my stance also needs some work. Maybe mentally I wasn’t fully there, I felt some pressure because everyone was talking about me but over time, I’ll learn to handle that better.”
Last year, you won this event and it was your senior debut, correct?
“Yes, it was my first senior competition, and I managed to win gold straight away. That gave me a lot of confidence.”
Since then, you have been competing across cadet, junior and senior levels, and at just 17 years old. How have you found transitioning between age groups, sometimes from one week to another?
“It’s definitely different. The seniors are much more physical, and in cadets, for example, you sometimes face lighter athletes. The senior women are not just stronger physically, but mentally too. I’m still adjusting, but I’m learning with each event.”
You have also been active on the European Cup circuit and recently finished fifth at the Senior World Championships. How are you handling the demands of such a packed and high-level schedule?
“Well, at the Worlds, when I won my repechage, I felt like I was going to explode, my heart was beating so fast. You always want to win, but the level is so high. When I reached the bronze medal match in Budapest and saw I was facing the world number one, I told myself I had to give her a real fight. I hope I made it tough for her.”
Despite the loss today, when you look at your overall progress this year, especially as a first-year junior, are you happy with how it’s going?
“Yes, absolutely. Competing at all these levels is exciting. I’m grateful I have the chance to experience it all and test myself.”
How does it feel to compete at home in front of a supportive crowd?
“It’s amazing. I always see the atmosphere at the big Grand Slams like Paris and wonder what it must feel like, but here, thanks to this incredible home crowd, I really felt that energy and support. It means a lot.”
What’s next on your calendar?
“I will do some training camps and then prepare for the Junior European Championships. From there, we will see what comes next.”
Aktas may not have secured gold this time, but her maturity, talent and perspective at just 17 signal a bright future ahead. With the backing of a passionate home crowd and a growing international résumé, the young Estonian remains one to watch in the years to come.
At the conclusion of day one at the Tallinn European Open, Germany leads the overall medal table with a total of two gold, one silver, and five bronze medals. They are followed by Israel with two gold, one silver, and one bronze, while Great Britain currently holds third place with one gold and one silver.
Author: Szandra Szogedi