It has been a busy weekend of European judo competition with the British Judo senior squad competing at the Women’s Open in Bratislava and the Men’s Open in Oberwart, with Emma Reid (-78kg) taking silver and Jamal Petgrave (-90kg) taking bronze respectively. Meanwhile, in Spain, Isobel Kitchen (-57kg) claimed silver at the Cadet European Cup in Fuengirola.

Following the recent Paris Grand Slam, both events in Bratislava and Oberwart had strong international entries as many athletes stayed in Europe ahead of the Dusseldorf Grand Slam this weekend.

Women’s European Open, Bratislava, SVK

Reid, who recently claimed bronze at the Odivelas European Open, continued her fantastic early year form as she won silver in the Slovakian capital. Reid defeated Pauline Dziopa (POL), Alexandra Mazilu (ROU) and Linda Politi (ITA), all by ippon scores, to set up a final against former World Cadet Championship silver medallist, Chi Sasaki (JPN).

Following a strong start to the final Reid was countered and thrown for ippon, meaning she had to settle for silver.

Men’s European Open, Oberwart, AUT

Over the border in Austria, former European U23 Championship silver medallist, Petgrave, defeated Barnabas Beviz (HUN), Hugo Grandhaie (FRA) and Louis Krieber-Gagnon (CAN) to win his Pool and set up a semi-final against current European U23 Championship bronze medallist, Roman Dontsov (RUS).

Unfortunately, Petgrave was defeated by Dontsov in the semi-final by a single score, meaning he had to fight for bronze.

In the bronze medal match Petgrave faced Bosko Borenovic (SRB), who took bronze at the Sofia European Open two weeks ago. With the score level at one score each the match entered Golden Score. As the clock hit the 8minute 30second mark Petgrave scored a second waza-ari to win the match and claim the bronze medal.

Cadet European Cup, Fuengirola, ESP

There were 36 Cadet’s competing at the European Cup in Fuengirola, Spain. Kitchen defeated Veronica Blanco-Baron (ESP), Melany Beausse-Siro (FRA), Noa Bruzhanitsky (ISR) and Marie Polnicka (CZE) all by ippon score to make the final and face Sara Corbo (ITA). Corbo, who recently took gold at the Cadet European Cup in Follonica, defeated Kitchen by an ippon score, meaning Kitchen had to settle for silver on this occasion.

Also in Fuengirola, James Grey (-60kg) narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing 5^th. Niamh Southgate (-57kg) and Charlotte Jenman (-52kg) both finished 7^th, while Samuel Eaton (-55kg) and Billy Rodman (-66kg) finished 9^th.