Tbilisi Day 2 spotlight: Cvjetko headlines a stacked U70kg, with Europe all over the mix

Day two of the Tbilisi Grand Slam puts the women’s U70kg division under a bright light, and Lara Cvjetko is right at the center of it. The Croatian arrives as world number one and a two-time world silver medallist, carrying the kind of resume that makes every opponent lock in from the first grip.

Cvjetko has built her reputation on consistency, and she’ll be chasing another big result in what looks like one of the deepest categories of the whole event. The challenge is immediate: reigning world champion Shiho Tanaka (JPN) is in the field as well, and she comes in off a win at the Tokyo Grand Slam. When that level of form shows up, there’s no such thing as a comfortable path.

What makes U70kg feel wide open is the experience spread across the draw. Europe, in particular, brings serious depth: Ida Eriksson (SWE), Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE), Michaela Polleres (AUT) and Tais Pina (POR) are all proven World Judo Tour names with podium potential. Add Aoife Coughlan (AUS), and the margins get even thinner.

Over in women’s U63kg, Haruka Kaju (JPN) enters as the reigning world champion, wearing the red back patch and the pressure that comes with it. European hopes include Croatia’s Iva Oberan, still searching for her first podium of the season, while 2024 world champion Joanne van Lieshout (NED) is also set on showing she remains among the best.

The men’s U73kg field features Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Cargnin (BRA) as top seed, with Olympic champion Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) returning to international action. In U81kg, experience could decide everything, and Europe will be watching Matthias Casse (BEL) as he looks to respond after missing the podium in Paris earlier this year.

U70kg in Tbilisi feels like a test of nerves as much as technique.

Source: JudoInside