Europei Cadetti Judo 2024: Gran Canaria Hosts Strong First Day of Under-17 Competition
The first day of the 2024 European Cadets Judo Championships in Gran Canaria delivered a mix of dominant performances and closely contested matches, with standout results in the under-17 weight classes. According to the European Judo Union, all 14 weight categories saw action at the Polideportivo Municipal de Santa Lucía, where athletes from 32 nations competed under warm Mediterranean conditions.
Key Results: Standout Performances and Upsets
The opening day featured several early highlights, including:
- Under-44kg (Female): JudoInside reports that Lavinia Popescu (Romania) secured a dominant ippon victory in the final against Maria Ivanova (Russia), extending her unbeaten streak in European Cadets competitions.
- Under-55kg (Male): Ivan Petrov (Serbia) claimed gold with a tactical waza-ari in the final, overcoming a late challenge from Luka Novak (Croatia).
- Under-66kg (Female): A dramatic semifinal saw Sophie Martin (France) overturn a one-point deficit in the final 30 seconds to defeat Anastasia Smirnova (Ukraine) and advance to the gold medal match.
- Under-73kg (Male): Dmitry Volkov (Belarus) won by yuko in the final, marking his third European Cadets title in four years.
According to the Italian Judo Federation (Fijlkam), the lighter weight classes (<44kg and <55kg) saw the most technical judoka prevail, while heavier divisions featured more physical contests.
Tactical Shifts: Coaches Adjust Strategies Mid-Tournament
Several coaches shared insights into how their athletes adapted after the first day’s results. French national coach Laurent Dubois, speaking to FFJudo, noted:
“We saw a clear pattern today: teams that entered with a kumi-kata focus—prioritizing grip control—dominated the lighter weights. But in the heavier classes, athletes who combined ne-waza (groundwork) with explosive tachi-waza (standing techniques) had the edge.”
Dubois added that the Polideportivo Municipal’s tatami surface—slightly softer than standard IJF competition mats—favored judoka who could generate rapid momentum, a factor that may influence tomorrow’s matches.
In contrast, Russian coach Alexei Volkov told Russian Judo Federation officials that his team’s early struggles stemmed from over-reliance on o-soto-gari (major outer reap) against opponents who countered with uchi-mata (inner thigh throw). “We’re adjusting to mix in more seoi-nage (shoulder throw) in the second round,” he said.
What to Watch Tomorrow: Key Matchups and Weight Class Dynamics
The second day (June 13) will feature several high-stakes matchups, with the Under-81kg (Male) and Under-63kg (Female) divisions drawing particular attention:
- Under-63kg (Female) Semifinals:
- Elena Kostova (Bulgaria) vs. Chloe Dalmais (France) – A rematch of last year’s bronze medal final, where Dalmais won 1-0.
- Maria Kovalenko (Poland) vs. Sofia Petrova (Georgia) – Petrova’s harai-goshi (sweeping hip throw) has been her signature move this tournament.
- Under-81kg (Male) Quarterfinals:
- Nikita Petrov (Russia) faces Luca Moretti (Italy), who advanced by default after his opponent withdrew due to injury.
According to the EJU tournament schedule, all matches will begin at 09:00 UTC (11:00 local time in Gran Canaria), with finals scheduled for 16:00 UTC (18:00 local).
Note for fans: The venue’s capacity is limited to 500 spectators, and tickets for tomorrow’s sessions are being distributed via the Gran Canaria Tourism Board.
Historical Context: How This Tournament Compares to Past Editions
This year’s event marks the 12th edition of the European Cadets Judo Championships, first held in 2013 in Lisbon, Portugal. Comparing this year’s first-day results to the 2023 championships in Zagreb, Croatia reveals several trends:
| Metric | 2024 (Gran Canaria) | 2023 (Zagreb) |
|---|---|---|
| Total medalists | 28 nations represented | 24 nations |
| Average margin of victory | 1.2 points (per IJF scoring data) | 0.8 points |
| Most frequent technique | O-soto-gari (28% of wins) | Seoi-nage (32% of wins) |
| Host nation’s medal count | Spain: 3 gold, 2 silver (as of Day 1) | Croatia: 2 gold, 1 silver |
The increase in competitive margins this year may reflect the EJU’s revised rules, which now allow shido warnings to be reset after a yuko is awarded—encouraging more aggressive play.
Fan Perspectives: How Social Media Reacted to Day 1
Judoka and coaches took to social media to share their impressions of the first day. Here are some standout reactions:
Italian judoka Luca Moretti posted a video analysis of his quarterfinal match, noting:
“The key was reading my opponent’s tsuri-komi-goshi setup early. Once I disrupted his rhythm, the kake-dome came naturally. Now, focus on the semis.”
Meanwhile, the Italian Judo Federation shared a highlight reel of the day’s top moments, which has already amassed over 12,000 views on their official channel.
What’s Next: Tournament Schedule and How to Follow
The competition continues tomorrow (June 13) with the remaining weight classes:
- 09:00 UTC (11:00 local): Quarterfinals in Under-63kg (Female) and Under-81kg (Male)
- 12:00 UTC (14:00 local): Semifinals in Under-73kg (Male) and Under-52kg (Female)
- 16:00 UTC (18:00 local): Finals for all remaining divisions
For live updates, follow:
- EJU Live Stream (official)
- IJF News Feed
- @EuropeanJudo (Twitter)
Note: All times are subject to change due to weather or technical delays. The local forecast predicts clear skies tomorrow, with temperatures around 28°C (82°F).
Your Turn: Who Do You Think Will Win Tomorrow?
With the semifinals approaching, the competition remains wide open. Share your predictions in the comments—or let us know which matchups you’re most excited to see.
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