France cadets set the tone for this season in Fuengirola

The cadets of France were powerful at the second European Cup for Cadets this season in Spanish beach town Fuengirola. With six gold medals, eight silver medallists and a total of 29 medals, the French ruled in Andalucia. The host country though finished second with four titles for the youth U18 years.

Let’s start with the women’s lightweights, always a feared a strong class in Spain. Aiora Martin Carriches (ESP) was the first to beat a French opponent, in a somewhat Spanish podium where Mathilde Aurel (FRA) took the silver medal in a small group.

In the class U44kg there was more competition and the same result. Marta Beorlegui Oses defeated Alice Lopez (FRA) in the final with two Spaniards alongside her with bronze.

As mentioned the Spaniards are always strong in the lightweights and they defended their reputation with another gold in a row for Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP) who bested Alice Bersellini (ITA) in the final U48kg. Two French fighters took bronze.

Mongolian surprise Ariunzaya Terbish was the best athlete U52kg and proved to have a golden day against Mathilde Coudret (FRA). In a competitive weight category Spain and France finished third.

Where Spain was dominant at the first day among the girls, it was France in the boys division with Pierre Lebreton (FRA) who claimed the gold U50kg against Tuguldur Choijiljav (MGL) who joined the French podium.

In an all French final Adrian Mivovan (FRA) overcame his compatriot Tiago Talon (FRA) in the final U55kg. Kais Guettari (FRA) continued the French success U60kg when he defeated Maxence Adriano (FRA) in the final. Another French, Johan Gbingbehi (FRA) claimed bronze with Eduardo Sagastegui (MEX).

A remarkable trend is that in many tournaments young (former) Georgian athletes are starting to become dominant, likely mirroring their senior successful former compatriot. All over Europe you see athletes with Georgians names claiming the medals, Irakli Goginashvili (GBR) is the one who captured the gold medal in Fuengirola as last final of day one U66kg. He overcame Daniel Parrilla Munoz (ESP) in the final.

Italy’s Lucio Tavoletta had a good day, he bested another Briton in the final, Derek Marczak (GBR) U73kg. An international podium with Jawanys Belleval (FRA) and Mikolaj Kaczorek (POL) taking bronze.

A second gold medal for Italy was guaranteed as Alessandro Bruno D'Urbano (ITA) and Leonardo Copat (ITA) competed in the final and D'Urbano was the winner U81kg. The Italians have a lot of choice in U81kg at any level.

What a day for the Italians with their third gold medal for the team as Cristiano Mincinesi (ITA) beat Guillem Lozano Pastor (ESP) U90kg. Only the French heavyweights were able to dominate the podium. A 1-2-3 for Matheo Akiana Mongo (FRA), Edouard Turkhuu (FRA) and Jean Pascal Da Costa By Goly (FRA) with Marek Adrian Mäsak (EST) joining them on the stage.

The second day opened for the girls with gold for Portugal. Maria Silveira (POR) left Chloe Link (GBR) with silver, the third for Great Britain in their final U57kg.

It was Spain catching up with a gold medal at day 2 again as Lucia Carpio Fernandez (ESP) defeated Chloe Jean (FRA) U63kg. Carpio was the only non French on the podium.

Great Britain couldn’t complain about medals, but three times silver is harsh. Julia Marczak (GBR) couldn’t prevent Nina Muteba (FRA) to win the division U70kg. The heavyweights of France have a reputation internationally and in Fuengirola it wasn’t any different. An all French final between Leonie Minkada-Caquineau (FRA) and Quessia Diankolela-Biniakounou (FRA) with Minkada as winner.

The next stop on the international calendar is Zagreb as Antalya is cancelled due to the terrible earthquake in Turkiye.