The opening day of the European Judo Open Sofia 2026 delivered precisely what competitive judo should: unpredictability, drama and a medal table that told the story of depth across European competition. Ukraine finished atop the standings with two golds and one silver but the victories were spread wide, 17 nations claimed at least one medal by day’s end, testament to the quality and balance of the field descending on Arena 8888.
From teenage champions announcing their arrival to home favourites delivering under pressure, day one final block had everything. Here is how the first gold medals of 2026 in Europe were won.
-63kg: Japan’s Rising Star Strikes Gold
The day’s opening final paired Japan’s Kimura Honoka against France’s Lili Nguyen, both chasing their first European Open gold. Into the second minute, Kimura tested Nguyen in ne-waza but the French judoka defended well to keep the contest alive.
Then came the decisive moment, an uchi-mata off the sleeve scored waza-ari for Kimura, who immediately transitioned to groundwork and finished the job. At just 18 years old and 2024 cadet world champion, Kimura announced her senior intentions emphatically.
Bronze medallists: Yoana Manova (BUL) and Marjona Nurulloeva (UZB).
-60kg: Fourteen-Second Destruction
Charlie Ayre (GBR) and Daniel Stein Padoa (ISR) stepped onto the tatami for the men’s -60kg final. Fourteen seconds later, it was over.
Stein Padoa’s side take-down straight off the grip caught Ayre completely, ippon before either athlete had truly settled into the contest. Both stood in momentary disbelief for entirely different reasons before the Israeli could process what had just happened. Sometimes judo is brutally efficient.
Bronze medallists: Richard Vergnes (FRA) and Christopher Velazco (USA).
-70kg: Ukrainian Gold and Sisterhood
An all-Ukrainian final in the -70kg category saw Anastasiia Antipina and Olha Tsimko compete for gold in what became a technical masterclass.
In left-versus-left exchanges, Tsimko struck first with a maki-komi counter for waza-ari. She followed with a left-sided harai-maki-komi for yuko, then doubled her advantage with another counter. Antipina ran out of time to turn the tables, settling for silver.
Yet, the lasting image came after the final buzzer, both athletes embraced in celebration of their joint success, embodying judo’s principle of mutual welfare and benefit even in competition.
Bronze medallists: Nadia Simeoli (ITA) and Florine Soula (FRA).
-66kg: Italy Denies Home Glory
The crowd in Arena 8888 roared as Bulgaria’s Boyan Yotov entered for the -66kg final against Italy’s Angelo Pantano. Home gold beckoned.
Pantano applied relentless pressure from both sides but Yotov stood firm. With under two minutes remaining, the Italian launched Yotov high, the Bulgarian somehow landed for waza-ari despite the height and angle, keeping home hopes alive.
Pantano refused to settle. He added a yuko, then doubled his advantage. With twenty seconds remaining, Yotov needed a miracle. It didn’t come. The Bulgarian’s frustration was visible, not just at the result but at his inability to impose his judo throughout the contest.
Bronze medallists: Anthony De Angelis (LAT) and Adis Orozmamatov (KGZ).
-78kg: Dutch Determination in Golden Score
Lieke Derks (NED) faced Poland’s Eliza Wroblewska in a -78kg final that remained wide open until halfway, when Derks hooked in for ko-uchi-gake and scored waza-ari to take the lead.
With under a minute remaining, Wroblewska countered to level the scoreboard. Twenty seconds of regulation time passed without further score, golden score awaited.
Derks wasted no time. Another ko-uchi-gake opportunity presented itself and the Dutch judoka seized it decisively for gold.
Bronze medallists: Elena Dengg (AUT) and Ilana Bouvier (FRA).
-73kg: Home Hero Delivers
Bulgaria’s second chance for home gold rested with Victor Skerlev in the -73kg final against Great Britain’s Ethan Nairne. The 20-year-old Bulgarian had been calm, cool and collected all day, his fourth continental Open appearance, his first guaranteed medal. Gold or silver remained the only question.
After one minute, a driving o-uchi-gari answered it. Skerlev took the lead and never relinquished it, delivering precisely what the crowd demanded. Home gold. Redemption after Yotov’s earlier disappointment. Skerlev came, saw and conquered. Nairne’s impressive solo run ended with silver.
Bronze medallists: Szabo Aron (HUN) and Ioan Dzitac (ROU).
+78kg: Ukraine Closes Strong
The day’s final contest saw Türkiye’s Yagmur Yilmaz face Ukraine’s Ruslana Bulavina for +78kg gold. The contest remained fairly even until 1:38 remained, when Bulavina capitalised on a Yilmaz entry, countering with ko-soto-gake for waza-ari before transitioning immediately to ne-waza for the finish. Ukraine’s second gold of the day. The perfect closing statement from the team topping the medal table.
Bronze medallists: Sato Len (JPN) and Irina Zhelezarska (BUL).
Day one of Sofia 2026 delivered competitive balance, quality judo and the unpredictability that makes Opens compelling. Seventeen nations earning medals suggests depth across European competition. Home crowds witnessed both triumph and heartbreak. Teenage champions announced their arrival whilst veterans continued delivering.
Sunday brings the second and final day of competition, more gold medals to distribute, more nations hoping to climb the table, more athletes using Sofia as the launchpad for their 2026 campaigns.
The tatami doesn’t wait. Day two begins tomorrow morning.
Missed the action? Watch all contests on-demand and follow Sunday’s live coverage on JudoTV.com.
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Author: Szandra Szogedi