Warsaw’s final test before Tbilisi: Poland’s 11-medal burst boosts belief

The Warsaw European Open 2026 is done, and for Poland it felt like more than a home event—it was a checkpoint with real consequences. Sports Director of the Polish Judo Association Adam Maj framed the tournament as one of the last qualification opportunities ahead of the European Championships in Tbilisi, coming in a month. For several Polish judoka, it was a chance either to grab missing ranking points or to make their selection case feel impossible to ignore.

Maj called the overall sporting level “good” and placed the event in the European Open tier, where many competitors sit around the middle of the IJF World Ranking. The biggest stars often prioritise Grand Prix and Grand Slam events, but that’s exactly why this level matters: it’s where athletes learn to win tough senior fights, build points, and slowly push the door open to higher-category tournaments.

Warsaw was a pressure test, not a victory lap.

Poland’s headline number was hard to miss: 11 medals in total, made up of 4 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. Maj stressed how pleased he was with the younger generation—athletes still in junior or under-23 age groups who are already showing they can compete successfully among seniors.

Among the gold medallists he highlighted Szymon Szulik (-81 kg) and Aleksandra Kowalewska (-70 kg), along with Grzegorz Teresiński (+100 kg), who he said performed with confidence and strong style. He also pointed to Barbara Twarowska (-52 kg) and Michał Jędrzejewski (-100 kg) as names who backed up their talent with solid performances.

When it comes to clear steps forward, Maj singled out Szulik as the most noticeable mover inside the team battle. Winning a European Open gold while still a junior, in his view, signals major potential and that the development path is working. Kowalewska’s story also stood out: after finishing fifth last year, she climbed to the top this time, a jump Maj sees as proof of progress.

A medal here can be the key that unlocks Grand Prix and Grand Slam opportunities.

Teresiński, meanwhile, again confirmed his level at +100 kg, and Maj welcomed the internal rivalry with Jakub Sordyl, also a medallist in Warsaw, as “healthy competition” that can raise standards further. Still, he kept the bigger picture in mind: the truest evaluation will come after the season’s main events—European Championships and World Championships—where Poland will measure itself against the strongest teams.

Maj also underlined the value of hosting European-level tournaments at home, including events in Poznań and Bielsko-Biała. Beyond sporting benefits, he noted the organisational experience Poland has built with the European Judo Union, and hinted that future ambitions could include hosting the World Junior Championships.

Source: EJU_News