There has been a great deal of turnover in the -57kg category since the Paris Olympic Games, with category changes or breaks from competition. This year we are missing the 2024 finalists; European Champion Daria BILODID (UKR) is not in the line up, and silver medallist Kaja KAJZER (SLO) is now competing in the -63kg category.
By no means does this mean we are lacking competition however, the category is being led by the European Open Championship winner, and two-time Tbilisi Grand Slam winner, Eteri LIPARTELIANI (GEO). The Georgian athlete is truly a testament to her nation and the hard work that has gone into female development, finding her way to the top of an incredibly tough category.
In fact, she has done such a fantastic job that she has influenced a generation. Joining her in Podgorica is Nino LOLADZE, the Junior European silver medallist who most recently claimed her first IJF World Judo Tour medal in front of her home crowd in Tbilisi, and she comes with the same heart and technique we have come to expect from the Caucus region.
In the second seed position following Liparteliani, we have Marica PERISIC (SRB), European silver medallist, who has managed to top the category at both junior and U23 level, but she is determined to best her top senior result to be on top of the 2025 podium.
Timna NELSON LEVY (ISR) rounds out the top four and carries high expectations. The 2022 European Champion fulfilled some dream already this year by finally claiming a medal in the esteemed Paris Grand Slam and seems to be in great form as we approach these championships. Defeating Nelson Levy in the Paris final was the fast riser, Martha FAWAZ (FRA) who after claiming a European Open gold, landed naturally on the IJF circuit and has picked up a gold and silver in 2025.
Sitting just ahead of Loladze in the ranking is the Junior European Champion and a great rival, Fidan ALIZADA (AZE). Admittedly the attention is drawn by her nationality, as we often see regular takeovers by Azerbaijan at cadet and junior level, with fewer women breaking on to the senior circuit, but Alizada looks like she could be pushing through.
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