Inna Sych and Davyd Khorava delivered success for Ukraine, while Romania’s Alex Bologa and Georgia’s Giorgi Kaldani also clinched titles at the Rotterdam Ahoy.

All eyes were on the judo mats in Hall 5 where the first medals were awarded in the 10-sport tournament.

Bologa etched his name in the EPC’s history books by becoming the first European champion courtesy of his victory over Lennart Sass of Germany in the J1 men’s under-73 kilogram final.

It was a tight tussle with both judoka picking up two shidos before Bologa emerged victorious thanks to a solitary waza-ari.

"It’s a great feeling," said the two-time Paralympic medallist.

"The atmosphere is amazing, the competition is being organised very well and it is very important to have such a competition.

"Every Paralympic athlete and Para judo athlete deserves a competition like the able-bodied athletes do."

Gökçe Yavuz of Turkey also made history when he clinched the first medal of the EPC, beating France’s Pierre Voisin in the battle for bronze before being joined on the podium by Portugal’s Djibrilo Iafa who defeated Britain’s Connah Anders.

Sych was the first Ukrainian gold medallist in Rotterdam after capturing the J2 women’s under-57kg title with a stunning victory over Turkey’s Zeynep Çelik.

It took just 20 seconds for Sych to seal the win, taking down Çelik with a stunning throw to seal an ippon.

Marta Arce Payno of Spain also took little time to dispatch Lucija Breskovic of Croatia, scoring an ippon within the first minute in the opening bronze-medal match.

The other bronze was captured by Germany’s Ramona Brussig who proved too strong for Ukraine’s Liudmyla Yakymchuk.

Khorava, who claimed gold at the London 2012 Paralympics and bronze at Tokyo 2020, added to his glittering collection with a European title after overcoming plucky Spanish judoka Alvaro Lorenzo Gavilan in the J2 men’s under-60kg final.

Despite picking up an early penalty, Khorava always looked threatening and his efforts eventually paid off.

With one minute left on the clock, Khorava managed to pin Lorenzo Gavilan to the ground for 20 seconds for the ippon.

"To be a European champion is only one step on the long way leading to the Paralympic Games," said Khorava, whose country remains under attack from Russian forces.

"My gold medal is a small symbol of victory.

"It’s not for myself, it’s for my family and for my friends.

"I hope this medal will bring more success in the future, not only for me but for my entire country.

"It’s such a hard time for Ukraine."

Georgia’s first medal was secured by Zurab Zurabiani who earned a bronze with an emphatic victory over Moldova’s Vadim Cretu.

This was quickly followed by a second for Georgia when Nukri Migrijanasashvili stunned France’s Anatole Rubin with a brilliant throw to register an ippon inside the first three seconds.

The J2 men’s under-73kg final was the only bout to go to golden score, with Kaldani getting the better of Namig Abasli of Azerbaijan in a gripping contest.

Kaldani appeared to be losing the arm wrestle as he looked visibly tired after picking up his second shido.

Using every ounce of his energy, Kaldani managed to score a waza-ari at the death only for it to be scrubbed off.

It was a blow but Kaldani responded superbly, pulling off a match-winning throw 14 seconds into golden score.

France’s Nathan Petit came out on top in a hard-fought bronze-medal encounter with Lithuania’s Osvaldas Bareikis, notching the ippon with 90 seconds remaining.

Spain’s Sergio Ibanez Banon grabbed the final bronze on the opening day after seeing off Ukraine’s Rufat Mohomedov.

The Spaniard bounced back from conceding an early waza-ari to defeat Mohomedov who succumbed to intense pressure to pick up three shidos.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with more medals set to be awarded in judo.