Day one of the European Youth Olympic Games 2025 was alive with the Olympic energy, the athletes carrying a special pride to represent their nations alongside the 14 other disciplines who had the opportunity to see our sport.
It has been just over three weeks since many of these athletes competed in the Cadet European Championships and some have returned with very good feelings, having already medalled. They had the familiarity of the Jane Sandanski Sports Center, which also hosted the opening ceremony for the 2025 EYOF, and stepped on the tatami with confidence.
One of those was Cadet European silver medallist, Yagmur YILMAZTURK (TUR). The -40kg athlete defeated Julia BLASZCZYK (POL) by submission to take her place in the final against Cadet European bronze medallist, Fenne PEETERS (BEL). Peeters also demonstrated her skills in ne waza, managing to secure the osaekomi after only one minute in her semi final against Flavia GRESI (ITA).
Impressively, Team Azerbiajan have earned spots in three of the four finals, and first to do so was Rza KHALILLI.
The swift and impressive ne waza continued in the -50kg category. Coen GILBERT (GBR) fought his way in to the semi final against Khalilli, who was given this opportunity despite his team mate, Anar GULIYEV, taking the European title. After scoring yuko, in just over a minute, Khalilli managed to find his way to an arm lock, and a place in the final. Gilbert, who placed third during the Cadet European Championships will have another opportunity to stand on the podium as he competes for bronze.
On the other side of the draw, Spain’s Alejandro CHIARRONI CUTILLAS countered at attack from Axel CUQ (FRA), though it was originally only given waza ari, the commission reviewed the action and awarded the ippon score! This is a huge achievement for the Spanish athlete who has come back after suffering an early exit in the Cadet European Championships. Super return!
Türkiye were unfortunate in the -44kg as they couldn’t guarantee another finalist, Cadet European silver medallist was left disappointed that she would again not stand on top of the podium, however her semi final opponent, Gulshan HUSEYNOVA (AZE) looked unstoppable today. In only 17 seconds of the semi final, she scored ippon with a swift de ashi barai. Huseynova’s final opponent lasted on fifteen seconds longer on the tatami, Yuval GABAY (ISR) scored an unmistakable ippon against Viktoria GRIGORYAN (BEL) with ko soto gake.
Silvano CORI (SUI) had a good start against the current -55kg Cadet European Champion, Rasul ALIZADA (AZE), scoring yuko in the first exchange, however this was a huge wake up call to Alizada who pulled it back with a seoi nage to score waza ari. Alizada managed to double up with a minute and a half left on the clock, this time with a kata guruma movement. Kristian BUTUCI (CRO) fought fiercely against Romania’s Alim Marian SORICI, and continued the battle in to golden score. It was another 31 seconds before Butuci capitalised on a tired attack from Sorici, countering for the win and a place in the European Youth Olympic Festival final!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen