The University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus becomes the epicentre of junior judo this weekend as Europe’s most promising judoka gather for the latest Junior European Cup.
With athletes representing top federations and boasting world-class credentials, fans can expect thrilling contests and breakout performances across the mats.
Zacharie Dijol (FRA) will be looking to showcase the skills that led him to World Cadet Gold in 2022Male Categories
In the –60kg division, France brings serious firepower with Kelvin Ray, a 2022 World Cadet Silver Medallist, and Zacharie Dijol, who took World Cadet Gold at –55kg in the same year. Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alsaiari, the 2024 Asian Junior Championships Silver Medallist, will look to make history for his nation, while Belgium’s Askhab Isayev, an EYOF Silver Medallist in 2023, adds to the depth with strong groundwork and tempo.
The –66kg category features France’s Kylian Noel, a 2022 European Cadet Silver Medallist, alongside Belgium’s Amsar Dzhamaldinov, who medalled at –55kg in 2023 and now looks to prove himself in this higher division. Poland’s Jakub Kurowski, the 2024 World Cadet Bronze Medallist at –60kg, steps up with confidence and technical flair.
Poland’s Szymon Szulik leads the –81kg division with pedigree, having claimed World Cadet Gold at –66kg in 2023. Now at a heavier class, he brings a tactical edge and powerful judo that make him a serious medal threat.
Emil Jabiyev (SWE) could be the one to beat this weekend in the -90kg
In the –90kg bracket, Emil Jabiyev of Sweden arrives fresh off a 2024 World Cadet Bronze and will be tested by Ivan Chernyshenko of France, who recently captured bronze at the Berlin Junior European Cup and placed fifth in Prague. Both athletes have found form this season and will push the pace in a competitive field.
The –100kg category sees Croatia’s Borna Butijer standing out as one of 2025’s most consistent performers, boasting four medals from top-tier European events including Silver in Riga, Poznan, and Graz. He’ll be challenged by Poland’s Mateusz Wacko, who has reached the podium at his last three events and continues to impress with strength and resilience.
Heavyweight action in the +100kg class will be fierce, with France’s Matheo Akiana Mongo, 2023 World Cadet Silver Medallist, aiming to impose his dominance. Estonia’s Marek-Adrian Masak arrives in red-hot form with three straight golds (Kaunas, Berlin, and Tallinn), while fellow Frenchman Kevin Nzuzi Diasivi, a 2024 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, adds even more strength to the top end of the draw.
Female Categories
Italy’s Rebecca Valeriani will be looking to secure her second Gold medal of 2025 this weekend
In the –48kg category, Poland’s Wiktoria Slazok comes in as the 2025 Kaunas Gold Medallist but she’ll face strong challenges from Italy’s Rebecca Valeriani, a 2022 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, and France’s Morgane Annis, who claimed European Junior Bronze in 2024 and Cadet Silver in 2022. Belgium’s Lena Antoine, the 2024 Cadet Bronze Medallist, also has the potential to disrupt the favourites with her dynamic gripping style.
The –52kg division may be one of the most talent-rich, headlined by Junior World No.6 Alyssia Poulange of France, whose CV includes a World Junior Bronze (2024), World Cadet Silver (2023), and European Cadet Gold (2023). Fellow French judoka Sarah Bothy is also in medal form after recent podiums in Berlin and Sarajevo, while Ukraine’s Yulia Shtefaniak, a 2025 Kaunas Bronze Medallist, adds to the competition with steady performances.
Poland’s Kinga Chmielewska highlights the –57kg category, having won silver in both Poznan and Riga this year. France’s Emma Melis is another name to watch, with an impressive medal streak since March—including golds in Malaga and Berlin and silver in Lignano. Ukraine’s Daria Boichenko, the 2025 Kaunas Gold Medallist, completes a trio of top-tier contenders.
In –63kg, Jaelynn Chipan of France has had a breakthrough year with silver medals in Berlin and Graz, and Germany’s Sara-Joy Bauer enters as the reigning European Junior Champion (2024). Canada’s Maia Thompson, double continental cadet champion from Pan America and Oceania in 2025, brings an international edge to the contest.
Sweden’s Ingrid Nilsson will be hoping to strike Gold this weekend
Sweden’s Ingrid Nilsson, a 2022 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, and Ukraine’s Anna Oliinyk-Kornikko, winner in Kaunas and third in Prague this year, will square off in a competitive –70kg division. Both judoka bring power and tactical strength that make them clear medal contenders.
At –78kg, Junior World No.1 Sophie Niemeyer of Germany leads the pack as the 2024 World Junior Silver Medallist, but France’s Lila Mazzarino is hot on her heels with an impressive list of recent achievements—2024 European Junior Gold, 2022 Cadet Bronze, and a silver in Berlin earlier this year.
How to Watch
You can tune into the action via JudoTV. Full live coverage of the competition will be streamed throughout the weekend:
Day 1: 10:00 (Estimated Start Time of the First Contest)
Day 2: 10:00 (Estimated Start Time of the First Contest)
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