1. Overview
Karolis Bauža (born Karolis BaužaLithuanian; April 24, 1987) is a Lithuanian judoka who primarily competes in the -90 kg weight class. He is recognized for his consistent performance in international competitions, including his participation in the Olympic Games and multiple medal wins at prestigious events such as the European Judo Championships and the Summer Universiade.
2. Early Life and Background
Karolis Bauža's early life is marked by his birth in Vilnius and his connection to Jurbarkas, where he hails from.
2.1. Birth and Origin
Karolis Bauža was born on April 24, 1987, in Vilnius, Lithuania. He originates from the city of Jurbarkas in Tauragė County. Bauža stands at 72 in (182 cm) tall and primarily competes in the -90 kg weight category.
3. Judo Career
Bauža's judo career spans over a decade, marked by his consistent performance and numerous achievements in both junior and senior international competitions.
3.1. Early Career
Bauža's early career saw him begin competing in international events. In 2007, he secured a bronze medal at the Summer Universiade held in Bangkok, competing in the middleweight (-90 kg) category.
3.2. Major Competitions and Achievements
Karolis Bauža has achieved significant results across various major international judo tournaments, showcasing his talent and dedication in the sport.
3.2.1. World Championships
Bauža achieved a 7th-place finish at the 2013 World Judo Championships in the men's -90 kg category.
3.2.2. Summer Universiade
He earned a bronze medal at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok, competing in the middleweight (-90 kg) division. He later secured another bronze medal at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju, this time in the Open category.
3.2.3. European U23 Championships
In 2009, Bauža won a gold medal at the European U23 Championships held in Antalya, competing in the -90 kg category.
3.2.4. European Championships
Bauža has won multiple medals at the senior European Judo Championships. He earned bronze medals at both the 2009 Championships in Tbilisi and the 2013 Championships in Budapest, both in the -90 kg category. He also placed 5th at the 2010 European Championships.
3.2.5. Olympic Games
Karolis Bauža represented Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He competed in the men's -90 kg event, reaching the round of 16 and ultimately finishing in a tie for 9th place.
3.2.6. IJF Events (Grand Slam and Grand Prix)
Bauža has also achieved success in other major IJF sanctioned events. He won a bronze medal at the 2010 Judo Grand Slam Moscow in the -90 kg category. Additionally, he secured bronze medals at the 2011 Judo Grand Prix Baku and the 2014 Judo Grand Prix Zagreb, both in the -90 kg division.
His major competitive results are summarized in the table below:
| Year | Tournament | Place | Weight class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Summer Universiade | 3rd | Middleweight (90 kg) |
| 2009 | European U23 Championships | 1st | (90 kg) |
| 2009 | European Championships | 3rd | (90 kg) |
| 2010 | European Championships | 5th | (90 kg) |
| 2010 | IJF Grand Slam Moscow | 3rd | (90 kg) |
| 2011 | IJF Grand Prix Baku | 3rd | (90 kg) |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | 9th (tied) | (90 kg) |
| 2013 | European Championships | 3rd | (90 kg) |
| 2014 | IJF Grand Prix Zagreb | 3rd | (90 kg) |
| 2015 | Summer Universiade | 3rd | Open |