Amazing performances at crowded Judo European Cup in Zagreb

The Israelian cadet team gives hope for the future. At this weekend’s European Cup for Cadets in Zagreb the team started well on the first day with two gold medals. Six other European nations won the titles too in the Croatian capital. Also last year 7 different nations won gold at the first day and that says everything about the strong field each year in Zagreb. This edition more than 600 young athletes are fighting for the medals.

Of the 14 medal winning nations, France was won seven, and the first gold medal for Charlene Quilghini U40kg. Belgium always have young talented women and triple Belgian cadet champion Lois Petit, what’s in a name, took the gold U44kg. Last year’s European and World Champion Daria Bilodid from the Ukraine won an expected gold medal U48kg, but what is expected if you are so young and already in a field of 33 greedy youngsters. Both U44 and U48 France won silver. Gefen Primo of Israel won gold U52kg.

In the young men’s division Spain is continuing its way up and Jose Riopedre once more confirmed that the Spanish lightweights are on the right track. Riopedre won his first European Cup U50kg. Alessandra Aramu captured gold for Italy U55kg. he also won the gold in Follonica this season. Another winner in Follonica Pongracz Bence of Hungary also captured gold in Zagreb. Amit Bobovich won gold in a field of 72 young men, an amazing performance achieved in the early afternoon as the organisation traditionally splits up the weight categories in two blocks with so many participants.

Tomorrow the heavyweight categories will fight in Zagreb and hopefully the host nation will also grab one of 32 medals left for Sunday.