-57 kg: Reinhold Leads, Mongolia Chasing

Jolina Reinhold (GER), reigning EYOF Skopje 2025 champion and three-time continental cup winner, comes in as the top seed, a strong favourite. Despite being ranked number one in the world, she’ll face fierce competition from Tsendbazar Mashbat (MGL), a rising Mongolian talent. Magdalena Walega (POL) and Elif Kilic (TUR) are also serious podium contenders, especially as Poland and Türkiye have already impressed in Sofia.

-73 kg: Varnici Heads Up a Strong Field

Another EYOF 2025 winner, Veljko Varnici (SRB) tops the -73 kg draw, followed closely by Vasil Gamezardashvili (GEO). Asia is represented strongly with Myrzatay Kydyrbay (KAZ), recent winner of the Portugal Cadet European Cup, and Dalaitseren Batbuyan (MGL), a silver medallist in Macau. But all eyes will be on Keisho Mitsuishi (JPN), a debutant on the world stage whose presence alone makes Japan a contender, regardless of prior international results.

-63 kg: Slovenia’s Legacy Continues?

Since 2012, Slovenia has dominated the -63 kg category at the Olympic level (Urška Žolnir, Tina Trstenjak et Andreja Leški), except for France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou. Could that legacy continue? Ilariia Tsurkan (SLO), top seed in Sofia, will try to extend it. But the path to gold won’t be easy, with strong rivals like Aishat Alieva (IJF), Maralmaa Khurelchuluun (MGL) and Maia Thomson (CAN) in the mix.

-81 kg: Babaicenko Aiming for Double Gold

Another EYOF champion, Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) leads the -81 kg division and is hungry for more success. One to watch though is Akos Kelly (AUS), son of Olympians Daniel Kelly and Maria Pekli. With such lineage, golds at his last two Asian Cadet Cups, and a 2025 cadet continental championship medal, he’s a serious outsider. Giorgi Mumladze (GEO) and Konstantin Distel (GER) complete the top four seeds in a stacked field.

With early upsets and breakout stars already shaping the narrative in Sofia, Day 3 promises no shortage of drama and discovery. The preliminary rounds begin at 09:30, followed by the final block at 16:30.

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