France and Russia continued their battle for the top position and today the win goes to the latter as the -81kg category secured two medals; a gold from Ibragimgadzhi SULEIMANOV and bronze from Daniil DRANOVSKII.
The 2021 junior European champion was very happy and proud of his win today, especially given his dramatic semi-final against Giorgi SHERAZADISHVILI (GEO).
His final was more straight forward against the French, Arnaud AREGBA, scoring twice within the first half of the contest to take the gold. Suleimanov explained he wasn’t so prepared for this final as his focus had been on the semi-final with Sherazadishvili but in the end he was glad to become the junior European champion.
It was certainly an emotional win for Katarina KRISTO (CRO) in the -63kg category, she had a fantastic day, winning all her fights but one by ippon after a long stretch of hard work and a mental battle with herself.
Croatia took a second medal in the -70kg category with Lara CVJETKO battling her way to the final, unfortunately it wasn’t another gold but it was still a brilliant performance. Instead it was a very dominant contest led by Nataliia CHYSTIAKOVA that secured her the gold medal and title for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian looked very strong and confident throughout the day and was feeling well prepared going in to the final, having faced Cvjetko earlier in the year in Prague.
Source: www.eju.net
