Warsaw turns up the volume as France leads, and Poland lands a home-grown gold

Day one of the Warsaw European Open felt like pure live sport: tight finishes, sudden swings, and a crowd that never stopped pushing. Poland had a local athlete to cheer in almost every final, and that home energy gave the whole arena an extra edge.

When the stands get loud, every grip fight feels heavier.

On the medal table, France ended the day on top with four golds and three bronzes. Poland followed in second with one gold and three silvers—an eye-catching return, especially given the different scale and depth of judo in the two countries. Competing at home, the Polish team looked ready for the moment.

At -63 kg, the Netherlands were everywhere in the bronze matches. Elena Renes (NED) secured a podium spot by beating Nadiah Krachten, while Ariela Sanchez Benitez (ESP) celebrated in the other bronze contest against Joni Geilen (NED). The final paired Natalia Kropska (POL) with Melodie Turpin (FRA). Kropska drove much of the early action, throwing attacks with O-uchi-gari and Yoko-tomoe-nage and showing strong Ne-waza, but Turpin found the turning points with timely counters and held on to finish ahead.

Poland’s biggest roar came at -70 kg. Aleksandra Kowalewska (POL) delivered gold against Sarah Mehlau (GER) with a well-timed Drop Seoi-nage and immediate follow-up Ne-waza. In the same category, Tanja Gruenewald (GER) also left with bronze, joining Florine Soula (FRA) on the podium.

Europe also owned some of the most dramatic moments elsewhere: in -66 kg, Simon Lesauvage (FRA) took gold over Mattia Miceli (ITA) after a long golden score, decided by Miceli’s third penalty. And in women’s +78 kg, Tiziana Marini (ITA) broke Polish hopes late in the day—Tsuri-komi-goshi for Waza-ari, then straight into Osae-komi for Ippon against Kinga Wolszczak (POL).

With women’s lightweight categories and men’s heavyweight divisions still to come, Warsaw has set the stage for a second day that could flip the story again.

Source: EJU_News