Julie Beurskens’ European Judo Championships campaign ended prematurely in Tbilisi after a second-round defeat to Serbia’s Marica Perisic in the women’s 57kg division.
The 21-year-old Dutch judoka, who earned a bronze medal at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in November 2024, received a walkover in the opening round when Cypriot opponent Marina Azinou withdrew. Beurskens then faced Perisic, a 2023 European Championships silver medalist, in what proved to be a tightly contested match.
According to NOS Sport coverage of the event, the bout remained competitive throughout but ultimately concluded with Perisic securing victory by yuko – the smallest possible scoring margin in judo.
The result brings an abrupt conclude to Beurskens’ participation at the championships, which began on April 17, 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Her early exit contrasts sharply with teammate Joanne van Lieshout’s success in the heavier 63kg category, where the 2024 world champion advanced to the semifinals after defeating Israeli athlete Gili Sharir in the quarterfinals.
Beurskens, born July 12, 2004, in Amersfoort, Netherlands, has established herself as one of the nation’s promising judo talents. Her competitive resume includes a gold medal at the 2022 European Junior Championships in Prague and a silver medal at the 2024 Linz Grand Prix. She also contributed to the Dutch mixed team that won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Doha.
Under the guidance of coach Theo Meijer at the National Sports Center Papendal, Beurskens has balanced her athletic pursuits with academic studies. She became a professional judoka whereas attending college, following her breakthrough international performance in 2022.
Her international ranking had previously earned her a continental quota nomination for the 2024 Summer Olympics, completing the Dutch mixed team for Paris. The Tbilisi tournament represented an important opportunity to gain ranking points and experience ahead of future major competitions.
The European Judo Championships continue through April 19, 2026, with medal finals scheduled for the final day of competition. Beurskens will now shift her focus to upcoming events on the International Judo Federation circuit as she prepares for the next phase of her athletic development.
For continuing coverage of the European Judo Championships and other international judo competitions, readers can follow updates through official sporting channels and archysport.com’s dedicated combat sports section.
