German women set junior records at European Cup in Prague

The German junior women proved their strength at the European Cup in Prague. Four category titles were captured by the German women and Falk Petersilka added one in the men’s division to make it five. Azerbaijan showcased strong judo among the men obviously beginning with gold in the lightweights U55kg by Rashkan Bakhishaliyev. Two all Azeri finals in U55 and U60 where Ahmad Yusufov won the title.

Akos Kozma (HUN) won gold U66kg. On Sunday Robert Rajkai added a second gold medal for Hungary. Cornel Andries of Moldova won the most competitive category U73kg with 44 participants. Moldova is successfully building a new team and show good results. Zelym Kotsoiev won his U100kg division whilst +100kg Slovenia captured the gold. Enej Marinic defeated Hungarian Waczulik in the final.

The success of the German women started to get bigger on day two in Prague. Jana Gussenberg opened with gold on Saturday U48kg, but on Sunday Lara Reimann, Alina Boehm and Julie Hoelterhoff took gold. U63kg Reimann bested Dena Pohl in the final with three Germans on the podium. Hoelterhoff defeated Christina Faber of Germany. In total 13 medals for Germany this weekend, an amazing eleven medals for the women. It was for the last time in 2013 (Wroclaw) that the German women dominated their divisions with four gold medals.

Russia claimed gold in the lightest category by Kristina Bulgakova, and the heaviest category by Anna Gushchina. Nazakat Azizova took gold for Azerbaijan U52kg and Shannon van de Meeberg was the strongest U57kg. Three different Dutch fighters won gold this season in the European Cups U57kg;Visser, Van Krevel and Van de Meeberg.