Patrícia Sampaio is heading to Montenegro to compete in the European Judo Championships, riding a wave of momentum after three consecutive podiums since her bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. “Being European champion has always been a goal, and it still is,” she said, downplaying the significance of being seeded first. Sampaio is set to face new challengers, as countries introduce fresh talent in the new Olympic cycle. “There’s always a lot of new faces. People I’ve never fought before or haven’t faced in years,” she noted.
Ready for the Challenge
Sampaio has had a strong start to 2025, winning the Paris Grand Slam and claiming bronze in Tbilisi. As the fourth-ranked judoka, she’s aware that the competition will be tough. “I don’t like talking about expectations. I’m just a person who works hard. My goal is to show up and win,” she said. Despite being seeded first, Sampaio remains focused on her objective. “If I want to be European champion or world champion, I need to beat everyone in front of me.”
The European Championships will feature nine Portuguese judokas, including Sampaio, who’ll compete on the final day, April 26. The others are Catarina Costa, Raquel Brito, Taís Pina, Bárbara Timo, Miguel Gago, Otari Kvantidze, João Fernando, and Jorge Fonseca. Sampaio’s consistency has put her at the top of the international judo scene, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics already on the horizon. “I feel like something changed, even psychologically. I evolved a lot,” she said, crediting her Olympic experience for her growth.
A New Era for Sampaio
Sampaio believes her Olympic bronze marked the beginning of a new era in her career. “I was afraid it might be a one-time thing, but I realized it was a real step forward in terms of maturity, competing on all levels.” As seasoned athletes face fresh competition, Sampaio is motivated to prove she’s still a force to be reckoned with. “All the new ones come in hungry to beat people with more experience. I’m hungry to show I’m still here and want to lead.” The European Championships take place from April 23 to April 26.