On day one of many Prague European Open 2024, the tatami welcomed the light-weight males and heavyweight ladies to compete. It was a particular occasion given its standing of first continental open within the new Olympic cycle and with it introduced some particular athletes and spectacular judo.
It was a tricky day for the highest seeds, with 5 of the seven going out earlier than the quarter closing rounds. Solely Anna Monta OLEK (GER/-78kg) and Florine SOULA (FRA/-70kg) managed to work their technique to the semi closing of their respective classes.
Olek was definitely on the radar for many as we speak, not solely as the highest seed of your complete event, was WRL #12, with the subsequent heavyweight man coming in at #30. Expectations had been excessive for the Grand Slam and Grand Prix medallist, and she or he didn’t disappoint, demonstrating her medal-winning ne waza abilities. Defeating Shaked AMIHAI (ISR) within the semi closing means she is going to tackle France’s Liz NGELEBEYA, WRL #61. Regardless of this place, Ngelebeya is a stark reminder of the depth of expertise on this class from the French crew, who gave a efficiency not too dissimilar to the icon that’s Clarisse AGBEGNENOU, emanating each her confidence and gripping technique!
Ngelebeya managed to counter an over reaching ko uchi gari try from Linda POLITI (ITA), and later outgripped her opponent, controlling Politi with a belt grip over the again, managing to safe the win with te waza.
Samira BOCK (GER) Kaila ISSOUFI (FRA) appeared to over roll and as an alternative rolled underneath to drag Bock over her reverse leg, however to anybody who hasn’t adopted Bock earlier than, she performs the lengthy recreation. At no level did the German athlete grow to be flustered and easily gaged her state of affairs, tailored her grips and located her second in ne waza, her help cheered as she used Issoufi’s arm as a lever to show after which safe the maintain for the twenty seconds wanted to win her place within the -70kg closing towards Gioia VETTERLI (SUI). It was a gruelling semi closing for Vetterli towards Florine SOULA (FRA), going three and a half minutes in to golden rating, however the Swiss athlete managed to seek out her means in ne waza.
Huseyn ALLAHYAROV (AZE) was the one to place down high seed, Richard VERGNES (FRA) within the quarter closing, happening to face NAJI David (HUN) within the semi closing. It was a dynamic contest between the -60kg males, and ultimately it was a forwards and backwards that determined their destiny. First an uchi mata try from Allahyarov took each to the group, however Naji thought he may use this chance and pulled his opponent as much as assault with tai otoshi, nevertheless this turned in to a supply, the Azerbaijani planting himself to haul Naji within the air with ura nage. Occurring in fast succession, it was one of the thrilling of the semi finals on day one.
Subsequent up had been Vincent LIMARE (FRA) and Roie ROSEN (ISR) which fell in a distinct trend, the light-weight athletes ventured deep in to golden rating, two shidos every, then a low o uchi gari was lastly the deciding level from Rosen.
An all-Italian semi closing was to determine the results of the -63kg class as Antonietta PALUMBO and Agenese ZUCCO went face to face. Although it felt like that they had reached a stalemate, Zucco caught Palumbo with a pointy ko uchi gari and transitioned instantly in to ne waza, searching for the shime waza submission, which got here comparatively shortly. Zucco watched on as the subsequent semi closing happened between Gaetane DEBERDT (FRA) and Josie STEELE (GBR). Steele picked up two shidos within the first half the competition and struggled to discover a technique to defend towards the onslaught of Gaetane DEBERDT (FRA), finally a 3rd shido was issued to the British athlete.
MATHE Bence (HUN) made a big impact on the -66kg class as he defeated Canada’s Julien FRASCADORE within the opening spherical, however was examined within the semi closing by junior world silver medallist, Eran FIKS (ISR). This 12 months Fiks has made his transfer on to the senior circuit, managing a fifth place end within the Zagreb Grand Prix, however was unable to flee a decent ko uchi gari from Mathe half means by the semi closing. With Mathe persevering with on his takeover, he’ll face the ballistic Rashad YELKIYEV (AZE). an thrilling semi closing towards Federico NINFO (ITA) ensued, nevertheless it was Yelkiyev who finalised the consequence, scoring 11 seconds in to golden rating.
Will probably be an all-French closing within the +78kg class, the primary semi closing between Dounia NACER and Grace-Esther MIENANDI LAHOU, additionally each of France, was determined within the first 17 seconds. Sadly for Mienandi Lahou, she was disqualified was leaving a private merchandise inside her judogi, forgetting to take away earlier than stepping on the tatami, a tough lesson to be taught. Following this, Oceane DIARRASSOUBA (FRA) stepped on the mat that means enterprise, an enveloping ko soto towards Alessia GIORDANO (ITA) scored waza ari and was sufficient to say her place within the closing.
It was a bittersweet state of affairs for Workforce Ukraine, with Vladyslav KAZIMROV taking over Serhii NEBETOV for a spot within the -73kg closing. It was the latter that defeated high seed, Joshua GREEN (ISR) within the opening spherical, however this nationwide rivalry went one other 4 minis in to golden rating earlier than a 3rd shido was issued to Nebetov. Within the consecutive semi closing, the tempo was instantly set by Leonardo VALERIANI (ITA) who scored in 14 seconds with a deep morote seoi nage towards Niels THIJSSEN (NED). Then, a minute later, with the identical method, sealed his spot within the -73kg closing.
Writer: Thea Cowen
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