Spain books progression with 8 gold medals in La Coruna

Spain was the most dominating country at the European Cup for Juniors in La Coruna. The Spanish fighters captured eight gold medals, 50% and 17 medals in total. On Sunday Jose Maria Mendiola added gold in the men’s U81kg after defeating Henrik Schreiber of Germany in the category U81kg.

24 athletes in this category, U90kg 15 athletes and who else than Nikoloz Sheradadishvili captured the gold medal? Sheradadishvili defeated Henri Hannula of Finland, which is in fact another success for the Finnish team. Davide Pozzi captured the gold in the category for men U100kg. The Italian overcame Rhys Thompson of Great Britain. Heavyweight Irinel Chelaru of Spain won gold after he defeated British Valentino Volante.

In the women’s division Denmark won a magnificent gold medal U63kg as Laerke Olsen captured the first place after her victory against Inbal Shemesh of Israel. It’s the sixth ever European Cup victory for her country in the history. Last year Emilie Sook booked a victory, also in La Coruna. Bronze in this division was for Chiara Cacchione (ITA) and Finnish champion Emilia Kanerva who is booking progress in her new weight category.

Sara Rodriguez still dominates the category for women U70kg, the former Cadet heavyweight found her ideal category and booked her second victory this season. Rodriguez defeated Alessandra Prosdocimo of Italy in this competitive category. Canadian Mina Coulombe overcame British Rachel Tytler in the final U78kg. After a fifth place last year in Paks, bronze this year in Coimbra, now gold for Coulombe in La Coruna. It’s just the 12^th ever victory for Canada at a European Cup for Juniors. Kelita Zupancic was one fo the first in 2007, Jessica Klimkait the previous winner this year in Coimbra.

Earlier on Sunday Lidia Yarza of Spain became the winner in a pool of four heavyweights. Italy and Israel ended two and three in the medal table, both nations won two gold medals and lost three finals, but Italy also added five gold medals to three for Israel. Last year Spain won one gold medal against eight this edition, good progress against a comparable number of participants.