Lignano Junior European Cup 2026: Italy and Japan Dominate Opening Day of 43rd Trofeo Tarcento

The tatami at the Palazzetto del Bella Italia Efa Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro buzzed with intensity on Saturday, April 11, as the 43rd Trofeo Tarcento kicked off its first full day of competition. Serving as the Lignano Junior European Cup 2026, the event delivered a high-octane showcase of international judo, characterized by decisive ippons and a commanding presence from both the host nation and the visiting Japanese squad.

For those unfamiliar with the circuit, the Trofeo Tarcento is a cornerstone of the junior calendar, often serving as a litmus test for the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. This year’s opening act lived up to the hype, with Italy topping the medal table and Japan maintaining a flawless podium streak.

Podium Results: Day One

The first day of competition focused on a specific set of weight categories across both the women’s and men’s divisions. The results reflected a blend of established powerhouse nations and standout individual performances.

Women’s Divisions

• -63kg: Sveyarike Konrad (GER) took the gold, with Ilariia Tsurkan (SLO) earning silver. Bronze medals went to Kaylia Gomba-Louise-Jean (FRA) and Asuka Sano (JPN).
• -70kg: Japan’s Aoi Komine secured gold through impressive versatility in tachi-waza, utilizing techniques like osoto-otoshi, seoi-otoshi, and ouchi-gari. Hannah Mueller (GER) took silver, while Jana Cvjetko (CRO) and Alica Thiele (GER) claimed bronze.
• -78kg: Italy’s Aurora Mengia dominated her category to take gold. Rio Tsubakihara (JPN) earned silver, and bronze medals were awarded to Cinzia Caponetto (ITA) and Nikola Zareba (POL).
• +78kg: Miu Ushikata (JPN) utilized her ne-waza expertise to capture gold. Aleksandra Kocieba (POL) took silver, and Tessa Ebona (SUI) finished with bronze.

Men’s Divisions

• -60kg: Raffaele Sodano (ITA) claimed gold, marking his second medal in Lignano and his first gold. Amza Chiatti (FRA) took silver, while Lucien Tixier (FRA) and Mario Tinelli (ITA) shared the bronze.
• -66kg: Jakob Kurowski (POL) earned the top spot. Sebestyen Kollar (HUN) took silver, and bronze went to Yerassyl Yerzhanov (KAZ) and Alessandro Bicorgni (ITA).
• -73kg: Lucio Tavoletta (ITA) secured gold for the home crowd. Jakub Kobylinski (POL) took silver, with Szabolcs Kiss (HUN) and Pawel Pluta (POL) taking bronze.

Japanese Precision and Italian Passion

The presence of the Japanese women’s team was a primary draw for the crowd at Pala Bella Italia. Competing in Lignano for the first time, the Japanese athletes were a focal point for young spectators and volunteers. Their performance on the mat was as clinical as their popularity off it, with every competing Japanese athlete stepping onto the podium during the opening day.

The Italian squad, however, proved they are a force to be reckoned with on home soil. Gold medals from Sodano, Mengia, and Tavoletta ensured Italy sat atop the medal table as the first day concluded. Sodano, in particular, noted the depth of the field this year, highlighting the quality of the Kazakh and French athletes as key learning experiences.

Honors and Promotions

Beyond the competitive bouts, the opening ceremony served as a moment of recognition for the architects and veterans of the sport. The Premio Trevisan, established in 2023 in coordination with the family of Luigi Alberto Trevisan, was awarded to three distinguished figures: Tiziano Tieppo (ITA), Cathy Mouette (FRA), and Veli-Matti Karikanta (FIN).

Gianluigi Pugnetti, the event manager, also received a special recognition as he recently concluded his officiating career.

In a significant milestone for regional leadership, two high-level promotions were announced. Giuseppe Casellato, President of the Veneto Regional Committee, was promoted to 7th dan. Giuliano Casco, President of Judo Kuroki Tarcento, was awarded the 6th dan.

Casco’s promotion is a testament to a lifelong commitment to the sport. A symbol of Judo Kuroki Tarcento, Casco has served as the club’s president for 31 years and holds the absolute record for competition appearances with 687 starts. His career spans from a competitive master—earning the 2019 Italian master title and four European Championship bronzes—to a world-class official. A member of the Fijlkam National Kata Commission, Casco has officiated 25 official international matches, including eight European Championships and two World Championships.

As the 43rd Trofeo Tarcento continues, the focus shifts to the remaining weight categories and the quest for overall team supremacy. The blend of youth talent and veteran leadership on display suggests a bright trajectory for European judo.

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