Medal at European Cup Coimbra indication for future success

This weekend the first of twelve Junior European Cups will be held in Coimbra in Portugal. The Coimbra Multisport Pavilion will be packed with judo fans and athletes and a lot of top athletes who won a World or Olympic medal have achieved a victory in Coimbra in the past.

The Junior European Judo Cup is part of the IJF World Junior Tour and counts for the IJF World Ranking List. European Cups Coimbra are one of the biggest EJU junior and cadets events in Europe, with hundreds of young judokas from all over the world participating every year.

One of the top fighters who won in Coimbra was Telma Monteiro who won five European titles and captured four World Championships silver medal in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2014. The basis was set at tournaments like these in Coimbra.

Other top athletes who won the Portuguese Junior event are Automne Pavia (FRA), Karl-Richard Frey (GER), Rafaela Silva (BRA). The variety of countries is usually competing in Coimbra. Last year 19 countries and more than 300 athletes competed.

Last year the team of the Netherlands celebrated five victories and a few of the winners also took a medal at the European Junior Championships later that year. Roy Koffijberg (NED), Amber Gersjes (NED) and Vasylyna Kyrychenko took the European title in 2015 after winning in Portugal. Coimbra is a good indication for future success. 

Watch who are the most successful juniors in history.