Bulgarian Judokas Triumph with Three Medals at Sofia European Open 2026
Bulgaria’s judokas showcased their talent at the Sofia European Open 2026, capturing a total of three medals on the event’s second day. This prestigious tournament, held at Arena 8888, marks the start of the international judo calendar for the year.
Medal Highlights
The Bulgarian team brought home two gold medals and one bronze on Sunday. Gabriela Dimitrova achieved a remarkable victory in the under-52 kg category, defeating France’s Lea Metrot. In the men’s 100 kg division, Boris Georgiev triumphed over Daniel Liubimovski from the United States, securing another gold for Bulgaria.
Mariyan Palev added to the medal tally with a bronze in the 90 kg category, after a competitive match against Thomas Scharfetter of Austria. Furthermore, Hristo Valkov and Anton Dimitrov completed the day’s efforts, finishing fifth in their respective weight classes of 81 kg and 90 kg.
Sofia European Open Overview
- Date: Sunday of the tournament
- Location: Arena 8888, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Total Competitors: 385 judokas
- Participating Countries: 39
Bulgaria’s Performance
Bulgaria’s success continued from Saturday, where the team also earned four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze. The Sofia European Open not only highlights local talent but also awards valuable world ranking points to competitors.
The impressive performance of the Bulgarian judokas sets a promising tone for the rest of the international judo season. Fans and supporters are eager to see how the athletes continue to progress in upcoming competitions.
