Kick-off of the European Tour in Prague

This weekend marks the official start of the European Open Tour, beginning with the much-anticipated event in Prague, Czechia. The competition has attracted 338 judoka from 32 countries, making it one of the most popular and well-attended tournaments. The Czech Republic is renowned for its exceptional hosting of European judo events, and this stop in Prague is no exception.

Leading the charge in the women’s competition is Anna Monta Olek of Germany, competing in the -78kg category. Olek finds herself in one of the most competitive categories in her country, ranking behind Tokyo Olympic medalist and World Champion Anna-Maria Wagner and multiple European gold medalist Alina Boehm. As she sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Olek is poised to make her mark in Prague. Ranked #12 in the world, Olek has already secured numerous Grand Prix titles and Grand Slam accolades. She will face tough competition from Yael van Heemst of the Netherlands. She will have to deal with Lea Schmidt first in the other pool.

France is sending a strong team, with Lea Metrot (-52kg), Ophelie Vellozzi (-57kg), and Florine Soula (-70kg) leading their respective categories. Meanwhile, Asia Avanzato (ITA) will be at the forefront of the -48kg category. Despite being only 20 years old, Avanzato has already earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Junior World Championships and has come close to senior-level success, including two 5th place finishes in Sofia and Upper Austria.

Florentina Ivanescu (ROU) is another rising star to watch in the -63kg category. After placing 5th at the 2022 Tashkent Senior World Championships while still a junior, Ivanescu claimed a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Tashkent last year. The +78kg category is led by Maria Hoellwart (AUT), who has been in strong form lately, coming off a 5th place finish in Zagreb and winning the Madrid European Open.

In the men’s competition, the highest-ranked athlete is Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE) in the +100kg category, ranked #30 in the world. He will face fierce competition from Grzegorz Teresinski (POL), who recently took silver in Zagreb, and three-time World Championships medalist Yakiv Khammo (UKR). Another standout is Rhys Thompson (GBR), who leads the -100kg category and is fresh off a silver medal in Zagreb. His compatriot, Michael Fryer (GBR), is the #2 seed in the -66kg category, behind Canada’s Julien Frascadore.

In the -90kg division, British judoka Jamal Petgrave is in a leading position, having earned multiple continental open medals. Defending his -81kg title from 2023 is Italy’s Giacomo Gamba, who is a notable presence in the Mediterranean judo scene.

Finally, Joshua Green (IRL) heads the -73kg category and is one to watch after his impressive 5th place finish at the Kazakhstan Grand Slam earlier this year.

With a mix of rising stars and seasoned judoka across all categories, this European Open in Prague promises to be an exciting and fiercely competitive event.