Warsaw erupts as Kowalewska lands the home gold with drop Seoi-nage

Day one of the European Open in Warsaw delivered that special mix: deep international brackets, loud local support, and finals where every exchange mattered. Seven weight categories crowned winners on Saturday, and the medal table spread across multiple nations. Still, one scene clearly owned the day.

The biggest roar came in women’s U70kg. Poland’s Aleksandra Kowalewska produced the host nation’s only gold medal, and she did it in front of a crowd ready to lift every attack. In the final against Germany’s Sarah Mehlau, Kowalewska timed a drop Seoi-nage beautifully, then stayed sharp in ne-waza to close out the win.

Kowalewska’s U70kg title turned Saturday into a home highlight.

Germany still left a mark in the same category, placing Tanja Gruenewald on the podium as well, while France’s Florine Soula also claimed bronze. But the emotional centre stayed with Kowalewska’s control in the key moments and the way the arena reacted to it.

Europe had plenty to celebrate beyond the host gold. France stacked up top results across the day: Simon Lesauvage took men’s U66kg gold after beating Italy’s Mattia Miceli, and Orlando Cazorla added another title in men’s U73kg, denying Poland’s Wiktor Mrowczynski in the final as the Pole earned silver. In women’s U63kg, Melodie Turpin finished first ahead of Poland’s Natalia Kropska.

France also topped women’s U78kg through Samah Hawa Camara, who defeated Spain’s Sara Fernandez Campillo, with Morgane Rubiano adding a bronze. In women’s +78kg, Italy’s Tiziana Marini won gold over Poland’s Kinga Wolszczak.

Outside Europe, Kazakhstan stood out in men’s U60kg with an all-Kazakh final, where Toktar Umutaliyev beat Sunggat Nurlatuly. Even with multiple medal-winning nations, Warsaw’s opening day will be remembered most for that one home anthem moment: Kowalewska delivering gold with timing, composure, and follow-through.

Source: JudoInside