Zhuang Wenna, Liu Yingwei win golds at judo Warsaw European Open 2023

WARSAW -- China's judokas won two gold medals on the first day of the Warsaw European Open 2023 on Saturday, as Liu Yingwei was unstoppable in the women's -52kg category, while Zhuang Wenna topped the women's -48kg competition.

After the start of the senior European Tour in Sofia, Bulgaria, over 400 athletes from five continents gathered at the Arena Ursynow to fight for the points again.

The 21-year-old Zhuang beat Czech Tereza Bodnarova in the women's -48 kg semifinal. The Chinese found a golden score by hooking in for a soto gari for securing the spot in the final. Then she continued the momentum to beat Laura Espadinha of France in the final match.

Liu outperformed Hungarian Roza Gyertyas to claim victory in the women's -52kg category, and Liu Ben and Zhu Yeqing (tied) added two bronzes for China after winning over Pole Klaudia Cieslik and Julie Weill Dit Morey of France respectively.

Cai Qi took bronze in the women's -57kg competition as she defeated France's Ophelie Vellozzi in the match for third place. The Netherlands' Julie Beurskens took gold after beating Croatian Tihea Topolovec in the final.

France dominated in Saturday's men's categories as Romain Valadier Picard grabbed a gold medal in the -60kg competition, while Driss Masson Jbilou was the winner of the -66kg category. Morocco's Hassan Doukkali claimed a title in the men's -73kg contest.