Opening day one of many U23 European Championships have been the -48kg ladies. Present Olympic bronze medallist, Tara BABULFATH (SWE) battled it out in opposition to Giulia GHIGLIONE (ITA) for the U23 title, after already enduring a ten minute contest within the semi last with Ghiglione’s staff mate and eventual bronze medallist, Asia AVANZATO. Sadly for Ghiglione, she made the error of getting into to ne waza with Babulfath, who dominated there to take the 2024 U23 European title.
Poland’s hope for a gold medal lay within the arms of 17 year-old, Cadet European silver and World bronze medallist, Jakub KUROWSKI within the -60kg. There he confronted Azerbaijan’s Huseyn ALLAHYAROV. The ambiance was electrical for this contest, with Workforce Poland backed by crowd and officers. For the younger Polish competitor who likes to get a really feel for his contest within the opening minute, was not given that chance as he was caught with some swift ashi waza, thrown immediately in to kesa gatame and was unable to flee.
It was a win for Spain within the -52kg class, as Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ took the win in opposition to Aydan VALIYEVA (AZE). Each had been giving dominant performances to achieve this level, however sheer energy of Leiva is what pulled her by way of for the gold. Going behind her opponent she managed to launch, with what initially regarded like a tani otoshi try, Leiva used her leg to carry Valiyeva, scoring the waza ari earlier than shifting in to the osae komi, having to regulate throughout these ten seconds earlier than being awarded the title.
Within the last for the -66kg males, it was an all-Italian encounter. Arguably, neither Federico NINFO or Giuseppe DE TULLIO have been favoured for the gold medal, nonetheless they slowly and absolutely battled their manner by way of their quarters, defeating the highest contenders, solely to search out each other within the battle for gold. It was an open contest and initially, Ninfo scored with a driving counter, nevertheless it wasn’t lengthy till De Tullio discovered his opening, getting into for ko soto gake, along with his opponent shifting his leg, he continued with the momentum, taking Ninfo to the bottom. It was one more seamless transition in to an osaekomi to develop into the U23 European Champion.
Sadly for Nino LOLADZE (GEO), it wasnt the rematch she hoped for in opposition to Fidan ALIZADA (AZE). The younger ladies had already come face to face within the Junior European last this yr with Alizada popping out the victor, and as soon as once more she secured a title win, this time in Pila. It was definitely wanting extra optimistic for Loladze within the opening seconds, however as soon as on the bottom, Alizada tied up her opponent and held on for the 20 seconds required. Although disenchanted, it was not a bitter loss for the Georgian athlete as she supplied each arms up in celebration of her opponent in gracious trend.
Giorgi TERASHVILI (GEO) was on the hunt for an additional European title following his Junior win in 2023, and although it had been a gentle begin, he had made it in to the ultimate in opposition to the latest Zagreb Grand Prix winner, SZEGEDI Daniel (HUN). It was solely a matter of eight seconds earlier than Terashvili scored with an enormous uchi mata, and because it was solely awarded waza ari, he continued his mission by tying Szegedi up in ne waza and held on for an additional ten seconds. Georgia took gold in 22 seconds.
There was one exception to the ‘ne waza win’ rule at the moment, and that was Laura VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ (ESP) within the -63kg last. Vazquez has been on a roll just lately, choosing up continental open medals, and at the moment, got here out to defend her U23 European title. The final athlete standing in her manner was Alessia CORRAO (BEL) who’s a tough competitor however finally the Spanish defender threw with uchi mata for one more gold medal.
Judoka
Writer: Thea Cowen
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