Veronica Toniolo Returns to Judo European Championships After Year-Long Absence

Italian judoka Veronica Toniolo made her highly anticipated return to competition at the 2026 European Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, on April 17, 2026, after a year-long absence due to a knee injury.

Toniolo, competing in the women’s -57 kg category, faced Turkish athlete Budak in her first match since returning from injury. The bout immediately went to golden score after Toniolo received two shido penalties for passivity, forcing her into extra time to secure the victory.

According to reports from the event, Toniolo’s return marks a significant moment for Italian judo as she aims to rebuild her form following the injury layoff. Her performance in the opening match demonstrated resilience despite the challenging circumstances of competing under golden score rules early in her comeback.

The European Championships get underway with eliminatory rounds beginning at 8:00 AM local time in Tbilisi, with Toniolo among several Italian athletes seeking to contribute to Italy’s medal tally. Her teammate Fabio Basile too returned to competition in the men’s -73 kg category, facing Austrian opponent Gassner in his opening bout.

Toniolo’s injury absence had kept her off the competitive circuit for approximately one year, with the knee injury requiring extensive rehabilitation before she could return to international competition. Her participation in Tbilisi represents the first step in her journey back to peak competitive form.

The Italian judo team’s participation in the 2026 European Championships includes athletes across multiple weight categories, with Toniolo’s return in the -57 kg division being particularly noteworthy given her previous international experience and the expectations surrounding her comeback.

As the competition progresses, Toniolo will seem to build on her opening match performance and advance further in the tournament, with the ultimate goal of contributing to Italy’s overall medal count at the continental championships.

Stay tuned for updates on Veronica Toniolo’s progress throughout the 2026 European Judo Championships as she continues her journey back to competitive judo following her injury layoff.