Fast finishes and big emotions as Europe takes over cadet worlds day two

Jagoda Ciupek and Jolina Reinhold were the standout European names on day two of the 2026 Cadet World Championships in Guayaquil. Poland and Germany each celebrated a new cadet world champion, while Europe added medals across several categories.

Ciupek, the top seed at -57 kg, looked in control from start to finish. The Polish judoka advanced through her side of the draw as other leading contenders stumbled earlier in the day, setting up a final against Kazakhstan’s Inzhu Zhumazhan.

That gold-medal match was over almost as soon as it began. Ciupek imposed herself immediately with O-uchi-gari, then returned to the same attack twice more. Both of those later scores were Waza-ari, ending the contest in barely 90 seconds and sealing the world title in decisive style.

After the win, Ciupek kept the focus on the people around her, crediting her coach, training partners, family and federation. She said hearing the Polish anthem brought immense pride and added motivation for the next steps in her career.

Ciupek needed only moments to turn the -57 kg final into her statement match.

At -63 kg, Reinhold’s route was much less predictable. The category had seemed set up for Slovenia’s Ilariia Tsurkan, the world number one, but the bracket shifted sharply when Japan’s Aki Asada defeated Tsurkan in the quarter-final.

Reinhold then halted Asada’s run. Unseeded in Guayaquil but already a cadet world medallist, EYOF champion and Millennium Team Cadet European Cup 2026 winner, the German scored twice to reach the final against Austria’s Bleona Rama.

The final brought another sharp finish. A little over a minute in, Reinhold threw Rama with Koshi-guruma for Waza-ari and moved straight into Ne-waza. Ten seconds later, the contest was finished, giving Germany the title and completing an all-European top two in the category.

The emotion hit after the result. Reinhold said she only fully realized what had happened when she stood up, saw the World Championships signs and heard the cheering, before tears followed. She also spoke about the nerves she had carried into the event and her ambition to keep pushing toward future junior, senior and Olympic goals.

Reinhold’s final combined clean attack, instant follow-up and total control.

Europe’s medal haul stretched well beyond the two golds. Tsurkan recovered from her semi-final disappointment to take bronze for Slovenia at -63 kg.

At -52 kg, Ukraine’s Kseniia Kyrylchuk earned silver after one of the day’s biggest upsets, beating defending cadet world champion Rio Shirakane of Japan in the semi-final. Portugal’s Sofia Gaspar also reached the podium, winning bronze against Israel’s Yali Yahav by staying more precise and drawing the penalties that settled the match.

Georgia came close to adding another gold at -73 kg. Giorgi Mtchedlishvili reached the final, including a golden score win over Uzbekistan’s Bekhruzbek Usmonov with Ko-uchi-gari, before Japan’s Genki Fujinaka countered his opening attack for Ippon in the title match.

Georgia also claimed silver at -66 kg through Giorgi Kapanadze, who beat the second seed on the way to the final against Canada’s Anes Mati. In the same weight, Israel’s Tom Simkhaev took bronze by countering Georgia’s Giorgi Avaliani for Ippon.

By the end of day two, Europe had taken two world titles and nine medals in total. In Guayaquil, it was a day defined by sharp finishes, resilience after setbacks, and a strong continental showing on the cadet world stage.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union