European Tour 2024 arrives in Warsaw without trailblazer Szymanska

The senior European Tour 2024 makes its mark in Warsaw, Poland, maintaining its stronghold since 2008. With an impressive turnout of over 450 athletes representing 37 nations, the COS Torwar Sports Hall will witness fierce competition unfold over the course of two days on February 24th and 25th.

Poland booked 52 victories in its history since 1989 when the World Cups were installed, divided between men (30) and women (22). Pawel Nastula is the most successful in history with five Polish Open titles. In this century Przemyslaw Matyjaszek and Piotr Kuczera are the most successful with two titles and a bronze medal. Too bad that Kuczera doesn’t compete in Warsaw this weekend given his excellent performance at the Baku Grand Slam taking the silver medal. It brought him into the continental quota qualification zone as only Polish man. Szymanska, Kaleta and Pacut are qualified for the Games based on the current rankings. Unfortunately not among the contenders for this weekend's meeting is Angelika Szymanska, ranked at an impressive #9 in the U63kg category. Szymanska achieved notable medals such as bronze at the Grand Slam in Paris in 2021, 2022, and 2023, along with a bronze medal at the IJF Masters in Jerusalem in 2022. She triumphed at the Grand Slam Baku in 2023. This time though she cannot compete in Warsaw due to an injury. Szymanska won the tournament in 2020.

In the Polish team emerging talents such as Natalia Kropska, who recently clinched a podium finish in Gyor after a notable hiatus from the sport.

Additionally, eyes are on Adam Stodolski, Kacper Szczurowski, and Pawel Drzymal as they aim to make their mark in their respective weight categories. Noteworthy participants from the Gyor event, including Simeon Catharina and Laurin Boehler, are set to add excitement to the tournament. The diverse roster of athletes hailing from countries as far-reaching as Mauritius, Kazakhstan, and Canada underscores the global allure of judo.

In the history of this century at the Olympic qualifier in Warsaw, the Polish team achieved to win the most medals, 80, but closely followed by France (79). Also the German team (50), Spain (46) and the Netherlands (45) captured many medals. Poland also leads when it comes to the most titles by 24. A small gap with France (20), Germany (16) and the Dutch team (11).