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 women’s division.
The women’s Open-weight category holds 21 fighters, and several notable names are in the line up. Like always, the Open-weight category gives us the possibility to see fighters go up against others than they usually fights in their weight-category.
If we compare to the EC Open-weight championship in 2022, we must admit that the edition in 2022 had a little more demanding line up. More than 30 fighters at the time, and notable names like ⇑ Brigita Gustaitytė, Anastasiia Nesterenko, Marta Lubos, Brigita Svinkūnaitė – to name a few.
But, that doesn’t mean it will be like a “walk i the park” to win this edition! (⇑ from left) Katarzyna Jaśkowska / Poland, Marija Sekunda / Lithuania and Tóth Csenge / Hungary, – all coming from the heaviest category, all been more than one time on the podium.
Photo by the eminent Piotr Sztencel see more: Pi.Sztencel
Weight will as always be a factor, but the development of Fullcontact Karate has been pushing in other factors as well – like high pace, and a higher technical level. These factors tends to even out some of the weigh-difference. But a very interesting counter factor to this again – is that these fighters above mention – got a very respectable technical level to bring to the game. Katarzyna Jaśkowska ⇓
If we take a look at a couple of previous champions, we can see that they are from the middleweight or/and the light-heavyweight category. ⇓ Ivanka Popova / Bulgaria (-65 kg) – noted with two EC Open-weight championship titles, 2022 and in 2018. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
⇓ Lili Mező / Hungary (-60 kg) champion in 2021 – and did also win the Open-weight qualifying tournament to the World Championship in 2019. Both multiply EC champions in their respective weight-category. Popova and Mező must bee seen as favorites, based on previous results.
It is a tight upper half in the championship, many strong challengers will hunt the top positions, and give the favorites a fight to the end. And everybody knows, that every fight has to be fought.. Photo: Okiem Sportowca
Mirjam Björklund / Sweden, Berta Szalay / Hungary, Camille Haddouche / France – are good examples athletes in the upper half – with the capacity to break trough all the way. All of them have a lot of experience from many tournaments around the world. ⇓ Mirjam Björklund, elected to fight in the “Champion of the Champions” in Japan this summer. Berta Szalay took the EC title in 2022, and reached 3rd the year after. Later same year, she became the World Champion in WKB
⇓ Nika Jakobovic / Croatia, Oliwia Kurzątkowska / Poland, Natalia Chrzanowska / Poland – all EC podium holders, from the two lightest categories. They will face opponents that will outweigh them in the most cases. But the pressure can easily changes, proven a good level – the time will run – and it might go to weight decision in the end.
The draw will as always count in, and it is a decent category. Will we get a new Open-Weight champion this time – or will previous winners manage to repeat their achievements from earlier tournaments.