Poreč Millenium Team Cadet European Cup 2025: Day One

The Poreč Millenium Team European Cadet Cup 2025 kicked off with an action-packed first day. The “Žatika” sports hall, a well-known venue for major events, hosted hundreds of young judokas from around the world. Despite high expectations, Croatia failed to win a medal on the opening day.

Olympians Inspire Young Judokas

One of the highlights of the event was the presence of Olympic champions Paula Pareto (-48 kg) from Argentina and Majlinda Kelmendi (-52 kg) from Kosovo. Both former gold medalists from the 2016 Rio Olympics attended the tournament as coaches, inspiring young athletes with their experience and expertise.

Tough Competition and Diverse Medalists

The opening ceremony featured speeches from key figures, including Poreč Mayor Loris Peršurić, EJU Head Sport Commissioner Alessandro Comi, special advisor Tomislav Družak, and Croatian Judo Federation (Hrvatski judo savez) president Dr. Sanda Čorak.

The most competitive category of the day was the men’s -66 kg division, with 93 judokas fighting for the podium. Serbian athlete Boris Janković secured gold after defeating Georgia’s Gigi Kekviashvili in the final. In the women’s -48 kg division, Poland’s Barbara Twarkowska claimed victory over Spain’s Aiora Martin Carriches, earning five wins throughout the day.

Athletes from 12 different countries won medals, showcasing the event’s high level of competition. Hungary emerged as the top-performing nation on day one, securing two golds and two bronzes, followed by Serbia and Poland.

Croatia Falls Short on Day One

Despite strong support and home advantage, Croatian judokas were unable to reach the podium on the first day of the tournament. While expectations were high, local athletes will have another chance to compete on Sunday.

Official page: Poreč Millenium Team Cadet European Cup 2025 | Croatian Judo Federation