Already we will have a good time some new and defending Cadet European Champions in Sofia, Bulgaria. The 2024 version is off to an exhilarating begin, the lightest weight classes donning the tatami first. 4 of the six high seeds succeeded of their bid to compete of their respective finals, and first up was Aiora MARTIN CARRICHES of Spain.
Martin met Mathilde AUREL (FRA) within the last of the -40kg class which turned in to a golden rating endeavour. Although Aurel fought laborious to seek out her means in, she was assembly an unimaginable defence from Martin and ceded the ultimate contest by choosing up three shidos. That is the primary continental championship medal for the Spanish athlete and high seed of the -40kg class.
I used to be feeling very nervous coming into the competitors as a result of it was tough to make the load. The semi last and last have been very robust, however I’m very proud of my gold medal at this time!
Bahadir FEYZULLAYEV (AZE) got here in because the primary seed of the -50kg class and was dealt a tough draw Rostyslav KOSTRYKIN (UKR) throwing towards the elbow, however continued the motion, AZE labored laborious to safe the arm lock whereas referee fee deliberated. As soon as mate was known as, the hansoku make was introduced.
I’m very happy with my win at this time, I used to be very assured once I arrived right here that I might be capable of take the gold medal. Now that I’ve this title, I sit up for the World Championships and I solely have eyes for a gold medal there too. It was a troublesome day, however my hardest contest was the semi last as I used to be preventing my crew mate, Mahammadali HUSIYEV who took the bronze.
The ultimate of the -44kg class was by far the toughest that Patricia TOMANKOVA (SVK) needed to take care of at this time. The 2023 Cadet European and World Champion got here to Sofia in a brand new weight class to as soon as once more change into the champion, however Africa PUENTE LOPEZ (ESP) did every part in her energy to stop that from taking place. Although Puente picked up two shidos, she was on the assault and Tomankova was put below pressure all through. The pair delved in to golden rating, however at 1:47, the Slovakian famous person pulled out an exhausted maki komi to attain waza ari and take yet one more title.
The -55kg class noticed Khazar HEYDAROV (UKR), who took out the highest seed, Gal BLAZIC (SLO) go face to face with the unseeded Magomed ABDULAEV (AIN) who solely simply took his first worldwide consequence within the Goygol Cadet European Cup final month. Heydarov had the assist of two continental cup gold medals main in to those Cadet European Championships, and gave him the fourth seed place, however Abdulaev was the shock for the younger males at this time. A tough-fought contest ensued, and Abdulaev the eventual victor as Heydarov picked up three shidos.
I used to be a little bit bit scared to alter the load class, however I feel it was the precise resolution as a result of -40kg was too low and it was laborious, and now I hope the -48kg might be even higher! I already tried at junior degree and took a bronze, however now I felt that my weight was a little bit difficulty, I must be a bit heavier. Within the last, I wasn’t anticipating it to be so laborious, the Spanish competitor is superb and I’m actually glad that it was struggle in the long run.
As an alternative of a last face to face between the highest two seeds within the -48kg class, we noticed numbers three and 4, Charlotte NETTESHEIM (GER) and Barbara TWAROWSKA (POL), no matter a gold or silver consequence, this was the primary European Championship medal for each athletes. Twarowska already proved at this time that she was snug within the defensive place, and proved it rapidly as Nettesheim attacked with o uchi gari, and the Polish athlete took a sizeable step again and countered together with her personal ashi waza. Entering into to the ultimate minute, Nettesheim was desperately attempting to even the rating, and on the buzzer succeeded with harai maki komi. Hooking in for o uchi gari once more, Nettesheim made the last word comeback for her European title win.
I feel the waza ari [from Twarowska] was a get up name for me, after which in these last seconds, I simply thought I’ve nothing to lose I would like to provide it every part. After scoring, I had that further motivation and I used to be 90% constructive I might win the competition then! I didn’t actually anticipate this consequence at this time however I’m so blissful to win the gold.
Izhak ASHPIZ (ISR) got here to Sofia because the 2023 bronze medallist, and present Cadet World Champion, on a mission to finish his cadet assortment, however in his means was Jakub KUROWSKI (POL) who has medalled in his previous six occasions, with two continental cup golds, two silver and two bronze. It was a robust contest, however Ashpiz had a fireplace in him that will lead to nothing however a gold medal.
Since turning into World Champion, I’ve had greater expectations for myself and it’s very thrilling to take a gold on the Europeans because it’s my final yr. My hardest struggle was with my crew mate,
Judoka
Writer: Thea Cowen
Share
Tweet
Telegram
WhatsApp
E-Mail
