Russian men destroy juniors, Germans show girl-power

Russia was the big winner of the European Cup in Leibnitz taking all eight gold medals in the men’s category. The gap with the women is big, zero titles, but six medals. The level of the Russian juniors is huge and to the eight gold also six other medals were captured. The categories U55, U60 and U81 saw an all Russian final.

Well known names in the Russian team such as winners Ayub Bliev, Shapi Surakatov, Pavel Patokov, Alexandr Kolesnik, Turpal Tepkaev, Mikhail Igolnikov, Niyaz Ilyasov and Tamerlan Bashaev.

The winners on Sunday are Russia’s first choice.

Mikhail Igolnikov won his fifth European Cup. His third this year U90kg. He won silver at the World Championships in Miami last year, same results as Niyaz Ilyasov who won the category U100kg in Leibnitz.

Germany was the best country in the women’s category, also not a surprise. Theresa Stoll defeated sister Amelie, Selina Dietzer won U63kg in the final against Hurzeler and Julie Hoelterhoff is a new challenger U78kg.

Turkey was very strong in the lightweights, also not a surprise as Turkey have a reputation in scouting young talents. Melisa Cakmakli defeated Tugba Yayla U44kg and Gülkader Sentürk won gold U48kg.

Kosovarian Distria Krasniqi won the category U52 against Astride Gneto of France.

Szabina Gercsák didn’t surprise winning U70kg although her size and her name is bigger than her experience U70kg. But she proved to be able to dominate a championship, but this category has enough good European challengers. She defeated Danish Emilie Sook.

The heavyweight category was for Brazil, and it’s getting boring telling that Brazil have a reputation in this category worldwide. Camila Nogueira and Ellen Furtado divided the medals and shall be the names poking Maria Suelen Altheman and Rochele Nunes.    

The host nation Austria was happy with three gold medals for the young men. Maximilian Schneider U81kg and Stephan Hegyi +100kg won bronze.

For Schneider quite a miracle. A root inflammation in the teeth prepared Max Schneider hellish pain. "It did in the morning so much that I just had to take something against the pain before I could ever have breakfast a little bit." But that's not the 18-year-old battered while warming up with his brother Sebastian, of up to 90 kg After a walk, even slightly right shoulder. "I thought, Oh great," Max could then again smile.

Schneider survived his first bout but lost against Gramkow but came back well in the repechage winning four matches. One of them against Austrian competitor Marko Bubanja, who he beat by wazari.