Poland will host the European Championship for U-16, U-20 and the Open-weight category for adults 26-27 Oct. We take a look at the men’s division.
The men’s division have a parallel to the women’s division when it comes to the number of athletes, and to compare it to last edition in 2022. But we do also have to remember that the schedule, tournament frequency now is much higher now than then. Photo by the eminent Piotr Sztencel see more: Pi.Sztencel
The category holds 20 fighters, and we are pleased to see notable names in the line up. Well known fighters with a proven record in many championships will on the regular basis make their way towards the top. For many of us, names like Paulius Žimantas / Lithuania, David Mskhaladze / Georgia, Patrik Lajtos / Hungary, Goderzi Kapanadze / Georgia, ⇓ Artem Akimenkov / Poland – would be some of the names that first come into our mind. Photo by the never resting: Okiem Sportowca
⇓ Paulius Žimantas got some of the heaviest punches in the game. That alone will be a threat for anyone that face him. Besides that, Žimantas also got good all-round skills. In the last EC his loss came in the semi-final, due to warnings vs Kapanadze. It is no secret that we WANT to see a rematch, but without the warnings. With such punching power, the need for landing the punches in the thin line of high chest / warning – is not there. The damage will be enough no matter if its a couple of inches lower.
Photo by the eminent Piotr Sztencel see more: Pi.Sztencel
Georgia have two really tough fighters in the line up, both in the EC final earlier this year. Goderzi Kapanadze and ⇓ David Mskhaladze. With 17 years in between them, they are fighting at each end of their careers. It would be natural to expect a fireworks from Mskhaladze – with intense fighting, high pace and spirit.
⇓ Kapanadze – what we saw in the EC, was the ability to stay in the zone, taking and giving the power of who it might be. If one add movements into this, the total package will be very hard to handle.
⇓ Photo by Federación Kyokushinkai España Shinkyokushinkai see more at official FB
⇓ Hungary with Gergely Fekete and Patrik Lajtos. Both EC podium holders, Lajtos did also climb to 3rd place in the Open-weight two years back. Both technical fighters, shows very experience despite being in their early twenties. Gergely Fekete been fighting in the middleweight,Patrik Lajtos in the light heavy / heavyweight. The draw will give them different tasks, so the one who waits will see.
Fighters who are “big” enough to stand with the heaviest, but light enough to hunt down the fastest – will always be a factor in a open-weight tournament. Hugo Cruz / Spain, Jakub Tęcza / Poland, ⇓ Orestas Abazorius / Lithuania (with more) would be in that category. These guys will be hard to handle. They have fought the best, are good all-rounders in good shape.
As always, the “weight tactic” will play a role in an open weight tournament, and fighters that usually fights in the light heavyweight and middleweight, can for sure be a challenge with their speed and high pace.
⇑ Marek Odzeniak / Poland, together with Benas Čekanavičius / Lithuania, Artur Dymarczyk) Poland form a very solid group with more years of experience than most others in the category. Meeting someone with such solid experience can be extremely tough, and often very hard work. If you win, these matches can be so demanding that you are greatly reduced in the following match.
Further on, we can see several interesting fighters from land like Germany, Ukraine, Sweden, Latvia and Poland – and again, it will be interesting to see the draw, and who will advance into the next round – at what cost.
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