Italy’s Medal Haul: A Success Story from the European Cadet Judo Championships

Overview of Italy’s Performance

The Italian judo cadets wrapped up the European Cadet Championships 2025 in Skopje (North Macedonia) with a highly successful four-medal tally. The competition, held from June 26 to 29, was the first significant under-18 event of the season.

Medals for Italy

In the 55kg category, Matteo Gualandi secured Italy’s only final appearance, losing out to Azerbaijan’s Rasul Alizada and claiming a silver medal. The Italian team’s bronze medals were earned by:

• Raffaele Sodano in the 50kg category
• Giulia Bonzano in the 52kg category
• Giorgia Grassi in the 70kg category

Impressive Top-8 Finishers

The Italian team also boasted an impressive 11 top-8 finishes, including 4 fifth-place and 3 seventh-place results, across their 19 participating athletes, showing the team’s depth and competitiveness. They will look to continue this form at the European Youth Olympic Festival (Eyof) in Skopje later this month and at the World Cadet Championships in Sofia in late August.

Italian Technical Staff’s Reaction

We close this European Skopje cadets with 4 medals, 4 other athletes at the Final Block, and 3 seventh seats. Globally, it is a result of great thickness, one cannot fail to be satisfied, and this although the young age of some has still made us leave something that we will collect in the future. The boys teamed and the staff worked with good synergy.

Looking Ahead

The positive results from the European Cadet Championships provide a solid foundation for the Italian team to build upon in their upcoming competitions.