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European champion Dex Elmont delivers for the Netherlands

European champion Dex Elmont delivers for the Netherlands

13 Sep 2014 18:10
by Mark Pickering - IJF
IJF Media Team / International Judo Federation

European champion Dex ELMONT (NED) put a disappointing World Championships showing in Zagreb behind him by winning gold against Madrid European Open bronze medallist Andre ALVES (POR). ELMONT was penalised after one minute for negative gripping before his opponent was held accountable for being passive.

ALVES was penalised for the same reason moments later which gave ELMONT the incentive to move forward and throw for waza-ari with morote seoi-nage. The Dutch judoka got caught with a yoko-shiho-gatame in the closing seconds but had enough in reserve to find a way out after four seconds in osaekomi. 
 
 
In the first semi-final ALVES triumphed against Miami Pan American Open winner Marco MADDALONI (ITA) with a waza-ari score going unanswered as the Portugese fighter advanced to the first IJF World Judo Tour final of his career. In the second semi-final the classy Dutchman ELMONT conquered the spirited former Pan American champion Nicholas DELPOPOLO (USA). The pair traded shido penalties as the latter received two in the first minute which gave ELMONT more license to impose himself. DELPOPOLO was penalised for a third time for passivity as his opponent took the contest on shido penalties with only one against his record.
 
The first bronze medal was clinched by Baku Grand Slam silver medallist Florent URANI (FRA) who won his first meeting with DELPOPOLO. The Frenchman led with a yuko from countering a wayward uchi-mata attempt from the American and sat on that slender advantage to receive shido penalties for passivity. DELPOPOLO attacked with uchi-mata and then combined it with a sumi-gaeshi but URANI was equal to the threat and held on for the victory. The second bronze medal was destined for Italy, it was just a case of who would be wearing it. Beaten semi-finalist MADDALONI lost out to European u23 Championships silver medallist Andrea REGIS (ITA) by two yuko scores. REGIS, who was penalised three times for going out of the area, was nearly pegged back with a de-ashi-barai but was able to put his hand down and avoid giving away a score.