Toma Nikiforov withdrew from the European Judo Championships, which will take place from April 29 to May 1 in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The Brussels, reigning European champion in the -100 kg category, indicated this on Wednesday evening via his Instagram account. He specifies that he fractured a rib during the last Grand Slam, at the beginning of April in Antalya.
A particularly difficult decision to make for the Belgian of Bulgarian origin, who could have fought in front of part of his family, still present in his country of origin: “After an analysis and a conversation with the medical staff, my coach and the director of the federation, I will not participate, for medical reasons, in the next European championships in Sofia“, announces the Belgian judoka of Bulgarian origin. “I broke a rib at the last Grand Slam and the risk would be too great if I fought at the Euros. I’m sad and angry but it’s the right decision“.
Toma Nikiforov, 29 years old and 4th in the world in his category, won the -100 kg gold medal at the Eurp 2021 in Lisbon by beating the Georgian Varlam Liparteliani in the final. He was also crowned European champion in 2018 in Tel Aviv and brought back the bronze of the 2015 Worlds in Astana.
