It’s a busy weekend on the Slovenj Gradec Junior European Cup 2024, the place amongst the 34 nations attended, three of these are from the Pan-American area: Argentina, Canada and the USA. On the primary day of competitors the latter secured a exceptional bronze medal by way of Lenny SHEYNFELD within the -66kg class. We had the chance to speak to him after the medal ceremony.
Let’s dive proper into it, your first European cup medal, how do you’re feeling?
I really feel good, I want it was a gold medal however I’m proud for my first European medal. None of this might be attainable with out my nice help system together with dad and mom, teammates and my coaches. Aiming for larger although, so it’s an excellent begin.
The Pan-American area serves with a junior tour of their very own the place you received silver final yr on the Montreal junior cup. What are the explanations for travelling to Europe and would you say that at present’s bronze is extra helpful?
I imagine the extent of judo right here is larger than the Pan-American area and I take pleasure in preventing Europeans extra primarily based on stylistic matchups and sure this positively has extra worth than the silver on the Pan-American cup. The general purpose coming to Europe is to compete and prepare on the larger degree. I used to be in Italy for the inexperienced camp for per week after which in Valencia Spain for an additional week. I will likely be competing within the Prague junior European cup subsequent week. I will likely be going residence July eighth for per week after which head to Japan to coach for a month. My purpose is simply to get higher every single day and do what my coaches inform me. Whether or not that’s competing or coaching no matter it’s I’ll do it.
Lenny’s dedication speaks for itself and began by him relocating from his residence city, New York to go and stay in Saugus Massachusetts which allows him to now prepare at Pedro’s Judo Middle. You might be spoiled for alternative with the likes of Jimmy Pedro, Travis Stevens, Tyler Yonemori and Kelita Zupancic. How you’re feeling about having such a reputable help system?
I’m positively spoiled [he smiles]. It’s an honour and one thing that most individuals don’t have and I’m conscious of this so I’m tremendous grateful and grateful for all of them, together with my power coach Scotty. This motivates me quite a bit, I do know the usual within the room and I wish to obtain that degree so it pushes me ahead each single step of the way in which.
Lenny just isn’t alone on this Europe tour as he’s joined by teammates Alex SEMENENKO and Domenico TERNULLO. Apart from the Pan American guests, there are different non European nations joined this occasion resembling Kazakhstan and Lebanon. Regardless of being known as a European Cup, the sector of athletes extends worldwide, one thing which, Dr TOTH Laszlo, the President of the European Judo Union highlighted after the occasion;
The truth that we’ve got athletes from completely different elements of the world who make vital efforts to attend our occasion is unimaginable and commendable. We’re very grateful for his or her presence and that we are able to welcome them to our occasions, giving them and all European judoka the chance to develop. This weekend we’ve got a large number of entries and I need to add that the organisation of this occasion can also be at a excessive degree. I’m very happy with the standard provided to all of the groups collaborating on this occasion.
Creator: Szandra Szogedi
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