With the annual growth of women’s participation at the European Open jumping to a massive 89% following 2018, 53 female athletes will bid for gold, representing national teams including Poland, Finland, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Ireland, UK (England & Scotland), Estonia, Wales, Spain, Russia, Germany, Belarus, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Greece.
As we approach the event’s 2019 installment, taking place from 18- 23 June in Rome, the European Open serves as amateur MMA’s second largest event after the World Championships. With six weight divisions ranging from Atomweight (105lbs/47.6kg) to Lightweight (155lbs/70.3kg) and concurrent junior divisions for athletes age 18-20, expanding the total number of brackets to twelve, IMMAF – WMMAA provides more opportunity than ever before to women in MMA.
In addition to the plethora of new faces and exciting up and comers set for the 2019 Euros, some of the competition’s top seeds and returning medalists include:
Atomweight
Jenna Horto (Finland) – 2018 European Open champion & World bronze medalist
Ayan Tursyn (Kazakhstan) – 2019 Asian Open champion
Strawweight
Nina Back (Sweden) – 2018 European Open & World silver medalist
Jr Strawweight
Anna Gaul (Germany) – 2018 European Open Jr champion
Flyweight
Janika Antinmaa (Finland) – 2018 European Open champion & World silver medalist
Ilaria Norcia (Italy) – 2018 European Open silver medalist & World bronze medalist
Millie Eriksson (Sweden) – 2018 Jr World silver medalist
Bantamweight
Frida Vastamaki (Sweden) – 2018 European Open champion
Megan Morris (UK) – 2018 Jr World champion
Lucie Vacova (Czech Republic) – 2018 World bronze medalist
For full details including weight brackets and national teams, visit event page at MyNextMatch.com.
By IMMAF.org lead writer, photographer: Jorden Curran
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