Diamond Cup 2023 take off this weekend, in the middle of a rush of different tournaments and championships. What can we expect this time?
By the number this is the 8th edition of the tournament, last time was back in 2018. The tournament have been held (almost) at every other year basis, and in different time of the year. The level of the Diamond Cup has been from moderate to very high – depending on the support from the Eastern Europe countries, Russia, Kazakhstan and in fact Japan as well.
In 2014. the 5th edition, it was called Diamond Cup “The 1st West European Tournament” – but after this it went back to be open for every nations. Before this, in 2009 and 2011, the level was sky high! The podium in 2011 was with fighters from Russia, Lithuania and Kazakhstan – nations holding a significant level.
The 2023 edition reminds us a little about the 2016 edition, where the Eastern Europe countries not are heavenly represented. The Nederlands have the largest team with 53 athletes, and it is solid gap down to the next nations at 13 / Belgium and Germany/ 12 athletes. The tournament offers Juniors, adults and Old masters categories, fight and Kata
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Women -55 kg
The lightest category in the women’s division have seven fighters, two of them can be pointed out as favorites – based on previous results. If they face each others it will be in the final, regarding to the draw. Hayley Rowlands / U.K. and Anna Izdebska / Ukraine. Rowlands collected the IFK EC title in April, and got more of the same quality from other champinships. Izdebska climbed to top in the Shinkyokushin EC in April, also she with other merits.
Women -60 kg
Seven fighters in this line up as well, but in this case it seems to harden i little bit more.Valence Bickel / Netherlands will be the favorite on the paper, with several World and EC titles (KWF) Being the one with walk-over in the first round also, and must wait to see the outcome of Mirjam Björklund / Sweden vs Shanty Jacobs / Belgium. In this case, we have to say that Björklund is the one that we are leaning towards. Stronger merits, and being qualified to the 13th World Championship by them.
If Björklund moves on, it will be ready for a key fight in the second round vs Bickel. In the onter end of the draw: Agnieszka Winek. Winek, the Polish veteran has been fighting at the top level for many years, and will be a factor to look out for. First obstacle will be Evelina Bidžanova / Lithuania. This is a very interesting fight, Bidžanova have some good skills, being aggressive and showed the capacity to end fights before full time. Winek been there with the best, and will not be easy to take out.
Winner of Winek vs will most likely face Jessica Krause / Germany, who recently was the winner of the European Championship WKB
Women -65 kg
Nine fighters in this category, an a good mix overall. Camille Haddouche / France, Roxanne Ramselaar / The Nederlands, would be someone to watch out for, the two first mention would be the one with the heaviest merits – does not have to men something but we are leaning in this direction.
The five nation category contains only nation from West Europe, The Nederlands, Germany, France and of course Belgium. It is not so often that we see categories in this type of tournament without fighter from the Eastern Europe.
Women +65 kg
The heaviest category in the women division contains seven fighters, and in this category it seems a little more open than the rest of the categories. The Nederlands come inn strong in this category, with 4 fighters, the rest belongs to Switzerland, Belgium and Lithuania with one fighter each.
Angela Felber / Switzerland came into 3rd place in the IFK EC in April, and
In the lightest category for men we have five fighters. We would gladly see a little more fighters, but this is the case that we have seen before – when the tournament scheduled is tight. We believe that this category will be marked by the two fighters from Georgia.
Lasha Shantadze and Data Putkaradze. Last one,Data Putkaradze will for us be the favorite of the category, with several good results lately.
Men -85 kg
This is also a solid category, with fifteen fighters. A good mix of nations, level and fighters in general in this category, with a couple of names sticking out. David Mskhaladze / Georgia have been a name we have seen more and more often, and proven to be a very hard nut to crack. We believe he will move on in the tournament.
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Can be a hard second round fight between Mskhaladze and Tamas Retfalvi / Hungary, both used to reach the podium – who will deny the other to do so this time?
In the other end of the draw we also have some experienced fighters, but it seems a little more open who will pull trough. Nikita Bauer / Germany, Simon Eriksson / Sweden and Hugo Cruz / Spain can be some one to make a difference.
Men +85 kg
A very good category, with a very good mix indeed. It is fair to say that the one side of the draw “weighs in” a little more that the other. When you have fighters as the veteran Brian Jakobsen / Denmark and Antanas Klibavičius / Lithuania on the paper. These two are very good fighters, Jakobsen with a solid record with many years of fighting at the top level. Antanas Klibavičius also been around for a while, but not the same record – yet. They can face each other in the second round – if the wins their first fight.
Fun fact: they fought in the Diamond Cup 2016 – at that time in the final, with the outcome of Lithuanian victory. This time only one of them can reach the final – Klibavičius the possible strongest – Jakobsen the most experienced.
In the other end of the draw, it is a little more open – none of the fighters with heavy records, so this will be of great interest to see who will stand out from the rest – and reach the final.