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Kazan Judo Preview U70kg: Kim Polling signs for her fourth consecutive title

Kazan Judo Preview U70kg: Kim Polling signs for her fourth consecutive title

22 Apr 2016 08:50
Emir Incegul / Turkish Judo Federation

Kim Polling may not have been successful yet at the World Championships, she is leading the World Ranking since 2013 and can win her fourth title in a row, is that spectacular? In this era it is very special to have a triple consecutive European Champion. In her country on Mark Huizinga managed to win three titles in the ninetees. Further back Wim Ruska and Anton Geesink dominated the European Championships with back to back victories.

Internationally Alina Dumitru of Romania was the last with even 5 consecutive titles U48kg. Belgians Gella Vandecaveye and Ulla Werbrouck set series of six, nonetheless the performances of Kim Polling are impressive.

This Olympic cycle European Champions

2015      Kim Polling (NED)

2014      Kim Polling (NED)

2013      Kim Polling (NED)

2012      Edith Bosch (NED)

Polling feels well but will face competition of the usual suspects. Laura Vargas Koch of Germany, Gevrise Emane of France, Bernadett Graf of Austria and Sally Conway of Great Britain will be among the road blocks. Spanish World silver medallist Maria Bernabeu is among the best. Fanny Posvite of France is in shape, Katarzyna Klys (POL) experienced, Gercsak (HUN) a trap for everyone and JudoInside’s dark horse for a medal, although everyone knows the World Junior Champion by now. Polling beat her last year at the European Games, one size too big.

European athletes in the IJF World Ranking

1             Kim Polling (NED)

2             Laura Vargas Koch (GER)

4             Bernadette Graf (AUT)

5             Gévrise Emane (FRA)

7             Sally Conway (GBR)

10          Linda Bolder (ISR)

Polling will face Iljana Marzok (GER) in her first match. With Bernabeu in the pool, two World class athletes may face eachother in the quarter final. Gevrise Emane is in one pool with Sally Conway and some youngsters, shouldn't be too much hassle to make it to the quarter final but Emane can be bumpy sometimes,

Vargas Koch will face Esther Stam (GEO) or Roxane Taeymans (BEL).  With Katarzyna Klys in the pool and super talent Szabina Gercsak the pool is challenging enough for Vargas Koch. 

Bernadette Graf is in the pool with Fanny Estelle Posvite who will meet Anka Pogacnik (SLO), not even so easy, but normally Graf and Posvite will meet in the quarter.

Last year’s winner of the European Games in Baku were:

Kim Polling (NED)

Laura Vargas Koch (GER)

Bernadette Graf (AUT)

Szaundra Diedrich (GER)

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