Ten winning nations at European Cup Leibnitz

At the European Cup in Leibnitz Germany did good business on Sunday, but also host nation Austria had something to cheer for. Leibnitz was always a good indication for the European Junior Championships, so a medal counts, also know current European champions Pavel Patokov and Szabina Gercsak who won both events last year.

In the men’s category U81kg Anri Egutidze won the gold medal. Fifty young men were fighting and the Portuguese took the victory after he defeated Toshimasa Ogata in the final. Egutidze overcame Ruslan Godizov (RUS) in the semi final and Ogata beat Djalo (FRA) in the semi. Godizov still won bronze, Serbian Nemanja Majdov captured the bronze against Djalo. Leibnitz may give a good indication of strength for the European Championships in September in Malaga.

Germany took gold U90kg by Eduard Trippel who defeated his well-known teammate Sandro Makatsaria. Trippel beat Peter Kordely who became the only none German on the podium as Falk Petersilka also won bronze for Germany.

Georgia was expected today in the men’s heavyweights, but it was David Ozbetelasshvili who won gold U100kg. In the final the Georgian was able beat Arman Adamian of Russia. Aaron Fara of the host nation won bronze. Austria also won bronze +100kg by Stephan Hegyi. The gold though was for Ruslan Shakhbazov, one of the most experienced fighters in his category. In the final he defeated Ukrainian medal hope Fedor Panko. Serbian Zarko Culum won the second bronze.

In the early afternoon on Sunday French Marine Gilly took gold after beating Vladlena Zershchikova of Russia. Gilly also beat another Russian in Sitora Boymatova in the semi and Viktoriia Vasilchenko, the first Russian today for Gilly. Aya Sakagami of Japan won gold against Russian youngster Daria Pichkaleva. Reka Pupp (HUN) and Maria Siderot (POR) took the bronze U48kg. Sakagama defeated the Hungarian number five of the European Championships in the semi final. It was a quality field of 22 juniors.

Chelsie Giles of Great Britain was the winner of the women U52kg category. She defeated Romanian Cleonia Raciu in the final and Anja Stangar (SLO) in the semi. Giles won her first European Cup, quite a surprise, but her bronze in St. Petersburg in April was a good sign of shape. Last year Giles was seventh in Leibnitz. Also the silver for 17-year old Raciu was a surprise as she never won a medal at a European Cup before. Also Pauline Starke, who won the category for women U57kg won bronze in St. Petersburg and now struck with gold. The 18-year old German defeated Anita Cantini (ITA), also not an expected finalist. It was also Starke’s first European victory. Last year Theresa Stoll (GER) won the gold in this category.

On Saturday Azerbaijan had won two gold medals, today Germany struck and with Saturday’s gold medal of Wagner, Germany was the only country picking up three gold medals. Russia finished second with six lost finals but won two gold medals.

The IJF Junior World Tour continues to Pan America with three events before it returns to Europe in Paks in July.