Tbilisi turns into a judo cauldron as Georgia rules and Europe answers back

Tbilisi delivered a full week of judo that felt alive from the first block to the last. The European Championships blended big-name control with sudden twists, all inside an arena powered by a crowd that truly understood the sport. Georgia, competing at home, turned that energy into the perfect outcome: four gold medals, two silvers, and the top spot on the medal table.

The early days set the pace with high-level performances and a few results that forced everyone to reset their predictions. France struck early, while the lighter categories such as -48 kg and -52 kg quickly became a mix of favourites and outsiders pushing into the decisive rounds. That unpredictability gave the tournament its edge.

For the hosts, day two brought the moments people will replay in their heads for years. Lasha Shavdatuashvili fought through a gruelling contest to take gold, showing how far experience can carry you when matches get heavy. Eteri Liparteliani then lit up the arena with a last-second win, the kind of finish that turns tension into pure noise.

Every exchange felt louder in Tbilisi because the crowd lived every second.

The final day landed like a closing statement. Guram Tushishvili captured heavyweight gold and lifted the building to its feet, sealing Georgia’s overall dominance. Luka Maisuradze added another title, and with several Georgian finalists keeping the home fans fully invested, the championship never lost its pulse.

Europe’s leading judoka also made sure the story wasn’t only about the host nation. Italy’s Alice Bellandi completed a rare set of Olympic, world and European titles. Hungary’s Szofi Özbas and Timur Arbuzov backed up their status with authoritative wins, while the Netherlands celebrated gold through Joanne van Lieshout, a result that added to her growing reputation.

The Netherlands left Tbilisi with gold and a clear path toward hosting in 2027.

A new wave stepped up too. Melkia Auchecorne and April Lynn Fohouo reached the podium with dynamic performances that underlined the depth of European judo. With every Ippon and every tactical swing met by real appreciation, Tbilisi earned its place among the standout European Championships in recent years—before the journey moves on to Apeldoorn in 2027.

Source: JudoInside