Bulgarian Judokas Take Medals on First Day of European Cup for Youth and Girls

Jerusalem, 9 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Skopje, North Macedonia (BTA) – Bulgarian judo competitors won gold and two bronze medals on the first day of the European Cup for Youth and Girls in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.

Nadie Jaafar took the title after achieving three victories in the 70 kg category. In the opening round, she defeated Greek Sofia Hantopoulou with an “ippon” in 47 seconds, in the semi-final she defeated German Hanna Muller, and in the final she overcame Andriana Sutovic (Montenegro).

This is the Bulgarian’s first title this season. Previously, she won silver at the European Cup in Portugal.

Denis Galabov (60 kg) won bronze, his first medal at a competition of this rank. In the dispute for the award, the young talent defeated the Turkish Necjet Pala. Before that, he achieved two successes and lost in the semifinals to the Frenchman Roman Badi, who took silver.

In the same category, Ivo Galenkov is seventh.

Andrey Ganchev also won bronze, after defeating Bjarne Weelekens (Belgium) in the 73-kg category. The Bulgarian recorded three victories, and in the semifinals he suffered a defeat by the German Rafael Akoto, who became the champion. For Ganchev, this is the second bronze medal this season after the one in Portugal in March.

Three hundred seventeen competitors from 33 countries are participating in the tournament. Bulgaria is represented by 20 athletes.

The remaining national teams start today. Five Bulgarian competitors will compete in the 81 kg category – Emil Valchev, Kaloyan Ivanov, Bogdan Vlaev, Nikolaz Mihalev and Aleksandar Dinev. Also Anton Dimitrov (90 kg) and Nikola Markov (over 100 kg). Sofia Rangelova and Preslava Vasileva (48 kg) and Kalina Grigorova (52 kg) will compete in the girls’ category, the Bulgarian Judo Federation reports.