Poland’s next wave meets the European Open spotlight in Grodzisk Mazowiecki

On 14–15 March, the CAiLS Hall in Grodzisk Mazowiecki is set to become a key meeting point for European judo as the Warsaw European Open kicks off this year’s European Judo Union tournament cycle in Poland. Two competition days, a packed entry list, and plenty of early-season pressure are coming together in one place.

A total of 359 athletes from 31 nations are registered, and the hosts are arriving in force. Poland fields the biggest delegation and leans into a familiar formula: proven seniors alongside a hungry generation that has already made noise in the cadet ranks. With ranking points on the line, every round matters—especially in front of a home crowd.

Several young Polish judoka stand out immediately. Barbara Twarowska (-52 kg) comes in as the Cadet European champion and a cadet World Championships bronze medallist. In the same weight, Kinga Klimczak (-52 kg) brings momentum after taking silver last week at the Senior European Cup in Podgorica. On the men’s side, Jakub Kurowski (-66 kg), also a cadet World Championships bronze medallist, joins a heavyweight storyline featuring Grzegorz Teresiński (+100 kg), seeded number one and currently ranked 26th in the cadet IJF World Ranking List.

Home mats can lift a debut—or make it even tougher.

Magdalena Wałęga (-57 kg), the current cadet World Championships bronze medallist, underlined what this weekend means: it’s her first start on the European Open circuit, and it happens in Poland. The excitement is real, but so is the test—stepping into senior-level battles with expectations and noise from the stands.

Poland’s more established names are also in the mix, including top seeds Natalia Kropska (-63 kg), Aleksandra Kaleta (-52 kg) and Kinga Wolszczak (+78 kg). According to women’s national team head coach Artur Kłys, the goal is clear: strong results from experience, and the chance for new faces such as Twarowska, Wałęga or Nikola Zareba to push into senior attention.

The international challenge will be strong. France brings the second-largest squad with 50 athletes, while Kazakhstan, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are also sending sizeable delegations. Fans can follow the action live via JudoTV.com.

Grodzisk Mazowiecki is ready for a weekend that could launch new senior contenders.

Source: EJU_News