{"id":291677,"date":"2025-07-25T22:17:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T22:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/291677\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T22:17:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T22:17:14","slug":"birmingham-junior-european-cup-overseas-ones-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/291677\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham Junior European Cup – Overseas Ones To Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Wolverhampton\u2019s Walsall Campus becomes the epicentre of junior judo this weekend as Europe\u2019s most promising judoka gather for the latest Junior European Cup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

With athletes representing top federations and boasting world-class credentials, fans can expect thrilling contests and breakout performances across the mats.<\/p>\n

\"\"Zacharie Dijol (FRA) will be looking to showcase the skills that led him to World Cadet Gold in 2022Male Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the \u201360kg division, France brings serious firepower with Kelvin Ray<\/strong>, a 2022 World Cadet Silver Medallist, and Zacharie Dijol<\/strong>, who took World Cadet Gold at \u201355kg in the same year. Saudi Arabia\u2019s Abdulrahman Alsaiari<\/strong>, the 2024 Asian Junior Championships Silver Medallist, will look to make history for his nation, while Belgium\u2019s Askhab Isayev<\/strong>, an EYOF Silver Medallist in 2023, adds to the depth with strong groundwork and tempo.<\/p>\n

The \u201366kg category features France\u2019s Kylian Noel<\/strong>, a 2022 European Cadet Silver Medallist, alongside Belgium\u2019s Amsar Dzhamaldinov<\/strong>, who medalled at \u201355kg in 2023 and now looks to prove himself in this higher division. Poland\u2019s Jakub Kurowski<\/strong>, the 2024 World Cadet Bronze Medallist at \u201360kg, steps up with confidence and technical flair.<\/p>\n

Poland\u2019s Szymon Szulik<\/strong> leads the \u201381kg division with pedigree, having claimed World Cadet Gold at \u201366kg in 2023. Now at a heavier class, he brings a tactical edge and powerful judo that make him a serious medal threat.<\/p>\n

\"\"Emil Jabiyev (SWE) could be the one to beat this weekend in the -90kg<\/p>\n

In the \u201390kg bracket, Emil Jabiyev<\/strong> of Sweden arrives fresh off a 2024 World Cadet Bronze and will be tested by Ivan Chernyshenko<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

The \u2013100kg category sees Croatia\u2019s Borna Butijer<\/strong> standing out as one of 2025\u2019s most consistent performers, boasting four medals from top-tier European events including Silver in Riga, Poznan, and Graz. He\u2019ll be challenged by Poland\u2019s Mateusz Wacko<\/strong>, who has reached the podium at his last three events and continues to impress with strength and resilience.<\/p>\n

Heavyweight action in the +100kg class will be fierce, with France\u2019s Matheo Akiana Mongo<\/strong>, 2023 World Cadet Silver Medallist, aiming to impose his dominance. Estonia\u2019s Marek-Adrian Masak<\/strong> arrives in red-hot form with three straight golds (Kaunas, Berlin, and Tallinn), while fellow Frenchman Kevin Nzuzi Diasivi<\/strong>, a 2024 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, adds even more strength to the top end of the draw.<\/p>\n

Female Categories<\/strong>\"\"Italy\u2019s Rebecca Valeriani will be looking to secure her second Gold medal of 2025 this weekend<\/p>\n

In the \u201348kg category, Poland\u2019s Wiktoria Slazok<\/strong> comes in as the 2025 Kaunas Gold Medallist but she\u2019ll face strong challenges from Italy\u2019s Rebecca Valeriani<\/strong>, a 2022 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, and France\u2019s Morgane Annis<\/strong>, who claimed European Junior Bronze in 2024 and Cadet Silver in 2022. Belgium\u2019s Lena Antoine<\/strong>, the 2024 Cadet Bronze Medallist, also has the potential to disrupt the favourites with her dynamic gripping style.<\/p>\n

The \u201352kg division may be one of the most talent-rich, headlined by Junior World No.6 Alyssia Poulange<\/strong> of France, whose CV includes a World Junior Bronze (2024), World Cadet Silver (2023), and European Cadet Gold (2023). Fellow French judoka Sarah Bothy<\/strong> is also in medal form after recent podiums in Berlin and Sarajevo, while Ukraine\u2019s Yulia Shtefaniak<\/strong>, a 2025 Kaunas Bronze Medallist, adds to the competition with steady performances.<\/p>\n

Poland\u2019s Kinga Chmielewska<\/strong> highlights the \u201357kg category, having won silver in both Poznan and Riga this year. France\u2019s Emma Melis<\/strong> is another name to watch, with an impressive medal streak since March\u2014including golds in Malaga and Berlin and silver in Lignano. Ukraine\u2019s Daria Boichenko<\/strong>, the 2025 Kaunas Gold Medallist, completes a trio of top-tier contenders.<\/p>\n

In \u201363kg, Jaelynn Chipan<\/strong> of France has had a breakthrough year with silver medals in Berlin and Graz, and Germany\u2019s Sara-Joy Bauer<\/strong> enters as the reigning European Junior Champion (2024). Canada\u2019s Maia Thompson<\/strong>, double continental cadet champion from Pan America and Oceania in 2025, brings an international edge to the contest.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sweden\u2019s Ingrid Nilsson will be hoping to strike Gold this weekend<\/p>\n

Sweden\u2019s Ingrid Nilsson<\/strong>, a 2022 World Cadet Bronze Medallist, and Ukraine\u2019s Anna Oliinyk-Kornikko<\/strong>, winner in Kaunas and third in Prague this year, will square off in a competitive \u201370kg division. Both judoka bring power and tactical strength that make them clear medal contenders.<\/p>\n

At \u201378kg, Junior World No.1 Sophie Niemeyer<\/strong> of Germany leads the pack as the 2024 World Junior Silver Medallist, but France\u2019s Lila Mazzarino<\/strong> is hot on her heels with an impressive list of recent achievements\u20142024 European Junior Gold, 2022 Cadet Bronze, and a silver in Berlin earlier this year.<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/p>\n

You can tune into the action via\u00a0JudoTV<\/strong>. <\/a>Full live coverage of the competition will be streamed throughout the weekend:<\/p>\n

Day 1:<\/strong>\u00a010:00 (Estimated Start Time of the First Contest)<\/p>\n

Day 2:<\/strong>\u00a010:00 (Estimated Start Time of the First Contest)<\/p>\n

Watch out for further news from British Judo by checking out our\u00a0latest news section<\/a>.\u00a0You can also catch up via our official social media platforms,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a> and Instagram.<\/a>