Europe Shines at the 2025 Junior World Judo Championships in Lima

Lima, Peru – The 2025 Junior World Judo Championships in Lima showcased some of the finest young jLima, Peru – From 5 to 7 October 2025, Lima hosted the Junior World Judo Championships, bringing together 463 young judokas from 65 countries. While Japan dominated much of the overall medal table, European athletes stood out with exceptional performances, demonstrating both depth and talent across multiple categories.

🥇 European Gold Medallists

Europe secured five gold medals from five countries:

• Netherlands: Maria Hanstede triumphed in the −78 kg women’s category, executing a decisive yuko to claim the top podium spot.
• Serbia: Achieved gold in a men’s category, underlining the country’s strong tradition in middle and heavyweight divisions.
• France: Célia Cancan won the gold in the +78 kg women’s category, securing victory by ippon in the final.
• Switzerland: April Lynn Fohouo claimed gold in the −70 kg women’s category, displaying remarkable consistency and technical skill.
• Georgia: Tornike Gigauri captured gold in the −66 kg men’s category, showcasing flawless technique and excellent control throughout the competition.

🥈 Silver Medallists

• Spain: Secured silver in the −70 kg women’s category, reflecting the country’s growing strength in junior judo.
• Germany: Took silver in a men’s category, demonstrating the depth and competitiveness of its youth programme.

🥉 Bronze Medallists

Several European countries reached the podium, with Azerbaijan serving as a notable example of the continent’s strength in the bronze medal positions.

🌍 European Performance Overview

In total, Europe finished with:

• 5 gold medals: Netherlands, Serbia, France, Switzerland, Georgia
• 2 silver medals: Spain and Germany
• Multiple bronze medals, including Azerbaijan

These results underline Europe’s continuing prowess in junior judo and highlight a promising generation of athletes poised to succeed at senior world championships and future Olympic Games. The Championships in Lima confirmed that Europe remains a major force in the development of elite judo talent, combining skill, strategy, and determination.