Aleks Krivec Strikes Fast to Open a New Chapter for Slovenia in Cadet Judo

Aleks Krivec of Slovenia was at the center of the -81 kg story on the final day of the individual competition at the Millennium Team Cadet European Judo Championships Gran Canaria 2026. In a weight category full of early shocks and changing momentum, Krivec stayed composed and reached the final with authority.

The day began at high speed and quickly turned unpredictable. Top seed Nikita Sakharov of Ukraine, ranked world number six and already a seven-time Cadet European Cup medallist, started with a win and looked ready for another strong run. That path ended suddenly when Spain’s Toni Valcaneras Blanes, ranked 49th in the world, produced one of the biggest surprises of the category and knocked out the favourite.

That result lifted the energy inside the -81 kg draw. Valcaneras Blanes kept his momentum into the quarter-finals and briefly carried the hopes of the home crowd, but Cristian Parisi of Italy stopped the run there. Parisi, a three-time Cadet European Cup medallist, came through a brutal Pool A and emerged as the last man standing from the section that had caused the most damage.

While Pool A was breaking apart, Krivec’s route looked far more controlled. The Slovenian, seeded second, handled Pool B with confidence and avoided the chaos unfolding elsewhere. In Pool C, fourth seed Yagub Mammadov of Azerbaijan also advanced safely, while Pool D brought another notable result as Aykhan Hasanli of Azerbaijan defeated Estonia’s Aleksei Kikas.

By the semi-final stage, Azerbaijan had put itself in a strong position and an all-Azeri final was within reach. It did not happen. Both Azerbaijani hopes were stopped before the gold medal contest, leaving Krivec and Parisi to fight for the continental title instead.

That final carried real weight beyond the medals. Neither judoka had met before, and the stakes were bigger than a single bout. Whoever won would deliver the first Cadet European title in the -81 kg category for their country.

For Slovenia, that gave Krivec’s charge an extra emotional edge. In a division where the favourites were shaken early and several challengers made their presence felt, he was the one who kept control when it mattered most. Parisi had battled through the most chaotic part of the draw, but Krivec’s consistency put him in position to make history.

A wild -81 kg draw still produced one clear finisher.

The category had everything a cadet European showdown can bring: an upset, a home surprise, shifting pressure and a final with first-time history on the line. And through all of it, Aleks Krivec stood at the center of the moment for Slovenian judo.

Source: EJU.net