THE LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN.

The draw for the European Judo Championships 2022 has concluded.

We can now look forward to the opening contests of all three days and make an educated guess at who could potentially become the next European champion of each category.

European Judo Championships 2022 Draw. © Kostadin Andonov

First thoughts go to the seeded athletes and whether Catarina COSTA (POR) has done her homework in order to take on the young sensation that is Assunta SCUTTO (ITA) in the -48kg category. In their previous match in the Tel Aviv Grand Slam it was the Italian that came out on top but now after some reflection, Costa will be ready.

In the 52kg category, we will be waiting with bated breath – providing that they both stay on track and don’t slip up – as we anticipate a quarter final between current -52kg European champion Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) and current -48kg European champion, Distria KRASNIQI (KOS). The -48kg Olympic champion has established herself back in her original category but couldn’t move past the French superstar in the Paris Grand Slam this year.

2021 -48kg European champion Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) will try to take the title in the -52kg category this year.

AMANDINE BUCHARD (FRA) is back to defend her -52kg title.

Of course we look to Daria BILODID (UKR) as she moves up two weight categories in to -57kg. She may have dominated at -48kg but to jump this far and compete against established athletes, matching their strength and the difference could be a challenge for her. Especially given that she has Eteri LIPARTELIANI (GEO) in her quarter.

We talk of moving up but we also have athletes coming down; Gemma HOWELL (GBR) and Barbara TIMO (POR) have abandoned the -70kg world for 63kg and will now face each other in their opening round. The latter took the win in the 2020 Paris Grand Slam but a lot can change in two years.

Paris brought glory to Margaux PINOT (FRA) this year, but can she continue? Pinot already took the -70kg European title in 2020, which was then taken back by the 2020 silver medallists Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED). Before facing the strong Dutch however, she may be forced to take on team mate Marie Eve GAHIE.

Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED) took the -70kg title from Margaux PINOT (FRA) in 2021.

It was a repeat final from the 2020 edition where Margaux PINOT (FRA) had come out on top.

In the men’s, 2020 European champion Akil GJAKOVA (KOS) will attempt once again to take a senior title but first must defeat Tohar BUTBUL (ISR), a repeat of the 2021 European championship final. Another great head to head could be had in the quarter between Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE) and Fabio BASILE (ITA), the pair have an even record but on their first match up, Heydarov was still very much a junior in 2016, in fact becoming junior European champion right after Basile took his Olympic title. Both have come a long way, though the Azeri has had longer in this weight category.

The first pool for the -81kg category is very tough. World ranked number one, Matthias CASSE (BEL) fell from his gracious heights in the last event which took him off his winning streak, however we can almost be sure this was just a minor slip up. He will be seriously tested by a long standing rival, Sagi MUKI (ISR), though they haven’t fought in a tournament since 2019. Also in this quarter is the 2019 -73kg European champion, Tommy MACIAS (SWE) who is redefining himself as a heavier athlete.

The -100kg category is going to be very exciting. The number one, Jorge FONSECA (POR) is on everyones radar as he is championing this category right now, the double world champion seeking a European title. If Nikoloz SHERAZADISHVILI (ESP) can manage his contest against Asley GONZALEZ (ROU) we could see a repeat of the Antalya Grand Slam final, but it will be a big task for the Spanish -90kg double world champion to find a way past the Portuguese.

JORGE FONSECA (POR) is coming in hot to this years European Judo Championships. © Gabi Juan

Not only this but according to seeding, there will be a world championships semi final repeat between Varlam LIPARTELIANI (GEO) and Aleksandar KUKOLJ (SRB) whereby the latter took glory, and qualified for Tokyo in one fell swoop.

No matter what, each athlete will experience the high standard of a European championships and earning a title will not be easy. The reigning European champions; Francisco GARRIGOS (ESP), Distria KRASNIQI (KOS), Amandine BUCHARD (FRA), Akil GJAKOVA (KOS), Telma MONTEIRO (POR), Vedat ALBAYRAK (TUR), Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED) and Beata PACUT (POL) will all have that extra pressure to prove to themselves and their opponents that the top is where they belong.

The first day of competition will begin at 09:30 EEST and can be streamed online at live.ijf.org, the draw can also be found here.

Author: Thea Cowen