International Belgian adidas Judo Open in Herstal and Visé where hospitality comes first

This weekend the International Belgian adidas Judo Open will be held in both Herstal for women and Visé for men. In this Olympic Year the Belgian Open offers a great hub for the Grand Slam in Paris. The hall where judo history was made will deliver fine matches for the sub elite. The Belgian open competes with the European Opens in Sofia and Lisbon which are the opening events in Europe for the same level of athletes. Belgium though has more to offer in terms of hospitality, a training camp and for many athletes closeby in a trusted environment.

More than 700 athletes are registered from 33 nations, even a great deal outside Europe. 

Many Cuban including former World CHampionships finallist Ivan Silva Morales (17) and Japanese athletes have used the event in the past to warm up for Paris. This year again a Japanese junior women's team that looks truly strong. Also the newer generation Japanese uses Herstal used to come European judo. It’s an important qualifier for many young judoka who want to perform in the Junior European Cups and even at senior level, so Belgium will as usual showcase a lot of international with participants from both Asian, Pan America, Africa and Europe. Among the participants some current or past World Junior Champions.

There is a huge Georgian men's team for the Training Camp with Shavdatuashvili (today is his birthday), Gviniashvili, Margvelashvili and Tushishvili to name a few top athletes. Also a big team from Canada which includes Shady el Nahas and brother Mohab.

The biggest team is from France with approx 240 athletes followed by a huge Dutch team of 140 athletes. Some are using the training camp to get into the fighting mood for the Grand Slam next weekend 300 kilometer further away such as Natalia Kuziutina. 

In Herstal the challengers of 2020 will appear. Top talents from the Western European nations mix with northern French or talent from overseas.

Although Walloon youngster Jorre Verstraeten couldn’t retain the title in Tel Aviv for sure he will be present in Visé. Also Sami Chouchi took bronze in Tel Aviv, both from the Fédération Francophone Belge de Judo is one of those eyecatchers.

Watch the International Belgian adidas Judo Open in Visé (men) and Herstal (women) at 1-2 February followed by the TC at 3-6 February 2020.