La Nucía Sets the Stage for a High-Stakes European Open Weekend

La Nucía and Benidorm are back on the judo calendar this weekend, bringing the European Open Tour to Spain’s Costa Blanca on 16–17 May. With 473 athletes from 40 nations and four continents entered, this stop already feels bigger than a standard Open. It is a meeting point for established names, rising juniors and athletes chasing valuable ranking points on the road toward Los Angeles 2028.

Spain arrives with the largest team by some distance, putting 84 athletes into the event and giving the home crowd plenty to follow. Germany sends 62 competitors, while France brings 41. The Netherlands and Great Britain both field 31, and Israel follows with 30, adding even more depth to a weekend that looks packed from the first draw to the last medal contest.

Among the standout European names, Germany’s Mascha Ballhaus enters as the highest-ranked judoka in the field. The double world medallist competes in the -52 kg category and comes into La Nucía as world number three, making her one of the clearest reference points of the tournament.

Portugal also brings proven pedigree. Four-time European medallist Catarina Costa returns in -48 kg after her last international appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in October 2025. Barbara Timo, a double world medallist, is set for the -70 kg division, while Rochele Nunes adds another experienced option for Portugal in +78 kg.

For the host nation, Laura Vazquez Fernandez is the highest-ranked Spanish judoka entered, competing in -63 kg. In a competition where Spain already leads the entry list, that gives the local team another strong storyline heading into the weekend.

Big names are coming, but the younger generation is right there with them.

That mix of experience and emerging talent may be one of the most interesting parts of this event. Italy’s Savita Russo, a double junior European champion, steps into the senior spotlight in -63 kg. Great Britain’s Irakli Goginashvili, the 2025 junior European champion and world bronze medallist, is another young athlete to watch in -73 kg.

The weight categories themselves suggest there will be no easy path anywhere. On the men’s side, -66 kg and -73 kg both have more than 60 entries, making them two of the most crowded and potentially explosive divisions of the weekend. The -81 kg and -90 kg categories also look deep.

The women’s event has its own pressure points. The -52 kg and -57 kg categories each feature 34 athletes, with -63 kg close behind on 30. Even the smaller divisions, such as -48 kg and +78 kg, could still deliver major quality, especially with experienced medallists in the draw.

Another important presence comes from the IJF Refugee Team, which will be represented by seven athletes. Their inclusion adds another layer to the international feel of the event and reflects judo’s global reach beyond medals and rankings.

Competition takes place at the Pabellón Camilo Cano in La Nucía, before attention quickly shifts to the Benidorm Olympic Training Camp starting on 19 May. That camp is expected to bring together more than 900 judoka and coaches, extending the region’s role as a busy hub for international judo.

This weekend, though, the focus is simple: survive deep draws, seize the moment and collect points that could matter much later. With senior contenders and junior talents sharing the same stage, La Nucía has all the ingredients for a tense and meaningful European Open.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union