Adrián Nieto and Jorge Cano, from Judo Valdemoro, bronze in the European Cup in Malaga

Adrian Nieto (1998) y Jorge Cano (1996) have started the new Olympic cycle on the podium. After a season in which both had to assume that they would not compete in the Paris Olympic Games, the native of Valdemoro and the Judo teacher Valdemoro bit the bronze in the European Cup held in Malaga from October 12 to 13.

Adrián Nieto achieved it in less than 66 kilos, after beating the Portuguese Miguel Gago with an ippon in the fight for bronze. He reached this thanks to the repechage, after losing in the quarterfinals against the Frenchman Romaric Wend-Yam Bouda, with whom he ended up sharing third place. “It was a very tough competition, with six fights. I hadn’t felt that tension for a long time and even more so for so many hours, but I also enjoyed it and I think I had a very good competition,” the 26-year-old declared on his social networks, showing his gratitude to all those who have accompanied him in ” the hard months” prior to his return to the international tatami. “What is going to happen from now on is for you.”

Jorge Cano’s bronze also came after a long fight in the less than 73 kilo category. The young man from Madrid, coach of Judo Valdemoro since 2020, climbed to the third step of the podium after 11 hours of competition and 7 intense fights. Like Adrián, he fell in the quarterfinals and reached the bronze medal match after being knocked out. In it he beat the Dutchman Niels Thijssen, hanging around his neck his first international medal since his gold with OJK Belgrade in the Champions League. “I hope to continue giving more joy,” the athlete wished.

The 2024 Malaga European Cup featured 393 competitors from 26 countries. Spain placed first in the medal table with four golds, two silvers and nine bronzes, two of them with Valdemoro flavor.