Naohisa Takato and Lukas Krpalek eyecatchers at European Open in Prague

Naohisa Takato is one of the world top athletes of the European Open in Prague. The Japanese double World Champion will start U66kg for a change. In his weight class the number one seed though is Dzmitry Minkou who booked so many successes over the last year. In total 299 judoka are at the start in Prague from 41 country.

Of course a large team from the host country Czech Republic with 22 athletes including Olympic Champion U100kg Lukas Krpalek. Not for the first time he starts as heavyweight also in his U100kg period he started as heavyweight but was always present in Prague.

The team of Belarus will have a good team at the start with Dzmitry Minkou, Dzmitry Shershan in the same category who might meet with Takato. Also Belarussian number one seed U100kg Mikita Sviryd and U23 Champion and buddy Daniel Mukete. Yahor Varapayeu is one of the tasty athletes U90kg but U90kg David Klammert is the home sensation as number one seed. U60kg the crowd will cheer for Pavel Petrikov as highest seeded athlete accompanied by David Pulkrabek. For sure the top athletes will meet with some of the strong French in Prague.

U81kg Czech aces Jaromir Musil and Ivan Petr are among the seeded players. On Sunday Damian Szwarnowiecki will be the top seed but also Dorin Gotonoaga may surprise with a medal.