Artsiom Kolasau takes double gold with Olympic Team Event

The final of the Team event of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires delivered a mix of athletes. The teams were named after the host cities of the Olympic Games, it was the Team Beijing that won the tournament ahead of Team Athens for the silver medals and Team London and Team Rio de Janeiro for the bronze medals.

The final opposed Team Beijing and Team Athens. Paterne Karabagega, who was coaching Fleury Ihozeko of Burundi was very happy: “On the one hand, I am a bit sad because the team lost the semifinal, but on the other hand honestly I am really happy, because we won a bronze medal. You have no idea what it represents for our country. An Olympic medal, this is amazing. Some years ago, that was only a dream, and today we have it. I am very proud of what Fleury did and that we could participate in those Games. There is a big difference between the seniors and the cadets. Here the young athletes are more relaxed, there is less stress involved. Less calculation. They step on the mat and they play. Sometime they lose, sometime they win. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are working hard and this bronze medal will give us hope for the future. Today, I am just happy.“

Fleury is also thrilled with his performance: “It was hard, because to compete in U100kg I had to lose 10kg and during the individual tournament I felt tired. But today, in the team event, I was feeling much better. I am very proud for me but not only. I am honored for the whole team and the other countries that were competing with me today and for all the judoka in my country. This is a great day.“

Belarussian judoka Artiom Kolasau won his second Olympic gold medal this week. He also won gold in the individual tournament.

Marius L. Vizer, the IJF President commented on these four days of competition: "The YOG of Buenos Aires are a good promotion for the sport and were an excellent promotion for judo in particular. They are an example of friendship and solidarity among young people around the world. The organization was very good and very well conducted by the International Olympic Committee. I hope that these Youth Games will grow in the future. It is a good thing for the unity of the world so that it takes a direction penned by the solidarity of the young people. Such an event can help create a more stable, conflict-free world and help promote peace on the planet."

Final Results

1 - Team Beijing

2 - Team Athens

3 - Team Rio de Janeiro

3 - Team London

Final

Team Athens vs. Team Beijing

Semi-Finals

Team Rio de Janeiro vs. Team Athens

Team Beijing vs. Team London

TEAM BEIJING

PULJIZ Ana Viktorija - CROATIA

TONIOLO Veronica - ITALY

PECHA Itzel - MEXICO

LIU Li-Ling - CHINESE TAIPEI

KOLASAU Artsiom - BELARUS

NAZAROV Jaykhunbek - UZBEKISTAN

PAEZ Carlos - VENEZUELA

TEAM ATHENS

THANGJAM Tababi Devi - INDIA

ANDRIAMIFEHY Mireille - MADAGASCAR

VISSER Marin - THE NETHERLANDS

PRETORIUS Christi Rose - ZIMBABWE

MONTEALEGRE Juan - COLOMBIA

PENA INSAUSTI Javier - SPAIN

ZRHARI Anwar - MOROCCO

BEZDEK Martin - CZECH REPUBLIC