Almost 500 athletes are descending on the Spanish coast for the Benidorm European Open 2025 to be followed by the OTC, but for those stepping up from continental cup level to test themselves in a point-collecting tournament, they have a tough road ahead.
Leading the tremendous entry for the two day event on the 17th and 18th of May is double Olympic Champion, Lasha BEKAURI (GEO) in the -90kg category. This is his debut following another Olympic success story, undoubtedly he will simply be happy to return to warrior mode! Right behind is Lubjana PIOVESANA (AUT) in the -63kg category, and after a rough road collecting fifth place positions – albeit it at all prime events! – she will be arriving in Spain on somewhat of a high, after a bronze medal performance in the Dushanbe Grand Slam.
The past year has been a steady climb for Great Britain’s Emma REID in the -78kg category, a medal in the Dushanbe Grand Slam in 2024 set the ball rolling, and she acquired a World bronze, European fifth, further IJF World Judo Tour medals, but most notably, a Grand Slam gold in Dushanbe. With the World Championships just around the corner, more time on the tatami will be just what she needs to continue this momentum!
As for the -100kg category, the favourite will be the host representative and top seed, double World Champion of the -90kg category, Nikoloz SHERAZADISHVILI. After transitioning to the new weight category, Sherazadishvili was able to medal at the majors and impressively took a fifth place in the Paris Olympic Games, and now after a break from competition, he is ready and settled at -100kg. Rivalling him in Benidorm however is another World-class competitor; Jorge FONSECA (POR). Another athlete with multiple World titles, Fonseca is one of the most ballistic and entertaining in the weight class, but just as much as he can throw big, he can be caught in similar fashion. Piotr KUCZERA (POL) proved this during the European Championships 2022, and will be looking to do the same this week.
Current World Champion, Margaux PINOT (FRA) is leading the -70kg category, who, if all follows the seeding, could face Katarzyna SOBIERAJSKA (POL) who most recently took her first Grand Slam medal and is proving her ability to run with the pack leaders. Both are being chased by the current Junior European and World Champions; April Lynn FOHOUO (SUI) and Elena DENGG (AUT).
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Even younger is the current Cadet European and World silver medallist, Leonie MINKADA-CAQUINEAU (FRA) in the +78kg category who has recently claimed back to back wins in the Sarajevo and Portimao Junior European Cups, qualifying her to be tested on a stronger playing field.
Tara BABULFATH (SWE) is also on the roster this weekend, but at a weight class above, fighting at -52kg. Another move includes that of Bernd FASCHING (AUT), the Upper Austria Grand Prix bronze medallist who will step up to the -90kg category in Benidorm.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen