Natig Gurbanli takes European Cadet title
2013 Cadet World Champion Natig Gurbanli of Azerbaijan completed a successful day in Athens by winning the gold in the European final against Ayub Bliev (RUS). It was the Russian who marked the first score, a yuko, but a few seconds after that Gurbanli threw Bliev for waza-ari. Bliev earned another yuko, but he couldn’t catch up anymore.
“I have worked a lot and now finally I am also European Champion. I felt good today. The final was hard, I never fought Ayub Bliev before, but I was well prepared. Now I am going to the Youth Olympic Games and want to do well there”, Gurbanli said. Bliev, who competed in his first European Championships was somewhat disappointed. “I am a little sad that I lost in the final. I did not have enough physical strength. So I know what I have to work on for the future. My next plan is to compete at the junior level”, the Russian noted.
World Cadet silver medallist Robinzon Beglarashvili (GEO) overcame World Cadet bronze medallist Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) in the bronze medal match. Manuel Lombardo (ITA) earned the other bronze by defeating top seed Kazbek Achmizov (RUS).
28 judoka competed in that category.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |