Author: Carola Paissoni
The second and final day of competition at the ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup in Rome placed a fitting seal on a weekend of international judo at its very best. The PalaPellicone in Ostia proved itself a home for rising talent, welcoming some of Europe’s finest young judoka for an event filled with emotion, learning and breakthrough performances.
After an intense opening day, Sunday confirmed the strength and depth of the field. The women’s -57kg, -63kg, -70kg and +70kg categories, alongside the men’s -73kg, -81kg, -90kg and +90kg divisions, delivered high-level contests often decided in crucial moments, a reflection of the preparation, ambition and growing maturity of this new generation.
For the Italian team, the final day marked another important step in development. Cristian Parisi secured bronze in the -81kg category, while Ginevra Margherita Pia Cafaro (-70kg) and Federico Labate (+90kg) finished in fifth place after determined performances. Italy ultimately closed this first edition of the European Cadet Cup Tour in fourth position on the overall medal table.
Massimiliano Pasca, Technical Director of the Italian cadet team, reflected honestly on the day’s outcomes: “The second day of the European Cup Cadets in Rome ends, not the most profitable for Italian judo, however the bronze medal of Cristian Parisi and the two fifth places of Labate and Cafaro stand out. Overall, it was an excellent test that continues tomorrow with the training camp, with some athletes selected as we look towards higher and higher goals.”
While the host nation fought hard, visiting athletes enjoyed golden moments. One of the standout performances came from France’s Astan Sacko, who claimed victory in the +78kg category. Speaking after the medal ceremony, she shared her pride:
“After winning this competition I feel so proud of myself. I came here to be number one and I proved it. There wasn’t one key moment, I felt good during every fight. Today I imposed my judo and faced every opponent in my own style. This medal is very important to open the season and for everything that will come next. I want to thank my coach Alexandre Bordat, my club chief Karim Benbrahim, my judo club and of course my uke.”
Another athlete living up to expectations was Lithuania’s Tajus Babaicenko, already a well-decorated cadet competitor. Competing in a new weight category, he captured gold in the -90kg division and spoke openly about the emotional journey behind the result:
“I was a little nervous at first because of the new category. The semi-final was the highlight for me, I had shidos and my parents were shouting, ‘do something, try ko-uchi!’ and I thought, yes, I will do ko-uchi… and I scored ippon. The final was probably the toughest one thought because my coaches and parents were there and I didn’t want to lose. I have been doing a lot of strength work since moving up and I still need more power to execute my techniques better. This result is amazing in a new category but my focus is already on the European and World Championships. I am never alone and with that, I want to thank my parents and my coach, who is always there warming me up.”
With the conclusion of the event, the ‘Millennium Team’ European Cadet Cup in Rome closes an edition of significant sporting and organisational value, once again confirming the PalaPellicone in Ostia as a reference venue for international judo. More than medals, the weekend represented a platform for growth, an opportunity for young athletes to test themselves in a demanding European environment and take the next steps in their development.
The journey does not end here. From tomorrow, the training camp begins, a natural continuation of the competition and another chance for Europe’s next generation to learn, evolve and move closer to the dreams that first brought them onto the tatami.
View the full gallery of the event via the following link: ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup Rome 2026 – European Judo Union
Author: EJU Media