Warsaw lights up again as Szymańska aims to defend on home tatami

The European Open in Warsaw is back this weekend, and the entry list alone signals two intense days ahead. A total of 359 athletes from 31 nations across six continents are set to compete, with 220 men and 139 women registered before Friday evening’s draw. For a lot of European judoka, Warsaw isn’t just another event—it’s a key proving ground on the circuit.

The tournament runs over two days with a split programme. Saturday features men’s U60kg, U66kg and U73kg, alongside women’s U63kg, U70kg, U78kg and +78kg. Sunday then brings the remaining men’s categories—U81kg, U90kg, U100kg and +100kg—plus women’s U48kg, U52kg and U57kg.

The depth is obvious in the numbers. Men’s U73kg is the biggest field with 46 competitors, followed by U66kg (39) and U81kg (35). On the women’s side, U63kg leads with 27 athletes and U70kg has 23. Even the +78kg division, with nine judoka, can turn brutal quickly—one mistake and the podium is gone.

Europe is heavily represented in the team battle. Poland arrives with the largest delegation at 63 athletes, with France close behind on 50. Spain and Germany each bring 29, Italy has 26, and the Netherlands 24, making the medal race feel wide open even before the first grip is taken.

Home pressure can be heavy, but it can also be fuel.

All eyes locally are on Angelika Szymańska, returning to defend her U63kg title. She has built a strong résumé in recent seasons: gold at the Baku Grand Slam in 2023, silver at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi, and three straight bronze medals at the Paris Grand Slam from 2021 to 2023. Earlier, she claimed the European U23 title in Budapest in 2021 and took silver in Porec in 2020. Warsaw has been kind to her before—she won this European Open here in 2020 and again in 2025—and coached by Aneta Szczepańska, she’s once more positioned as a central figure.

Poland’s depth doesn’t stop there, with Katarzyna Sobierajska, Natalia Kropska, Piotr Kuczera and Grzegorz Teresinski also among the top seeds. France brings serious challengers too, including Ophelie Vellozzi and Anais Perrot, after topping last year’s event with three gold medals. The Netherlands will look to Junior World Champion Linde Hanstede in U78kg as one of their leading hopes. With returning winners, big European teams, and a crowded international field, Warsaw is set for a weekend where every round matters.

Source: JudoInside