Sergio Ibáñez captured the European Para Judo Championship gold medal in Heidelberg, Germany, defeating Turkey’s Recep Ciftci by ippon in the J2 -70 kg final on Friday. According to reports from regional media outlets including El Periódico de Aragón and Aragón Play, the victory marks the first continental gold of the Spanish judoka’s career following a competitive comeback from knee surgery after the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Path to the Continental Gold in Heidelberg
The athlete from Alagón met Turkey’s Recep Ciftci in the gold-medal match, securing the victory via ippon to stand on top of the European podium for the first time.
The triumph builds on a consistent international record that includes two previous continental bronze medals. Ibáñez earned a bronze at the 2019 European Championships in Genoa and matched that result at the 2023 championships in Rotterdam. Beyond European competition, his career highlights feature a silver medal in the -66 kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Overcoming Injury After Paris 2024
The road to the Heidelberg tatami required significant physical recovery. Following his campaign at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Ibáñez underwent surgery to repair an injury that temporarily halted his training schedule. Friday’s gold medal serves as a validation of his rehabilitation process and confirms his competitive return to the international circuit.
Broader Spanish Success on the Opening Day
Ibáñez was not the only Spanish athlete to secure a continental title during the first session in Heidelberg. Madrid’s María Manzanero claimed the J1 -52 kg European crown by defeating neutral competitor Aminat Omarova by ippon. At 22 years old, Manzanero secured her first major senior title following a recovery from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, celebrating her victory alongside Spanish Blind Sports Federation (FEDC) coach Marina Fernández.
In the J2 -60 kg division, veteran Valladolid competitor Marta Arce earned a bronze medal by defeating Georgia’s Ketevan Giligashvili via ippon. The result adds another podium finish to Arce’s career after winning bronze at the European Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, a year prior. Meanwhile, 15-year-old debutant Elsa Lukun Hernández finished fifth in the J1 -52 kg category.
Next Steps in the European Championship
Competition at the European Para Judo Championships in Heidelberg continues with a second day of bouts featuring additional members of the Spanish delegation, including Íñigo Gerbolés in the J2 -95 kg division, María Campos in the J2 +70 kg class, and Rodrigo Suárez in the J1 +95 kg category.
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