Kazan Judo Preview U57kg: French battle Receveaux vs Pavia revisited

The next European Champion of the weight division for women U57kg should be from France. Both Automne Pavia and Helene Receveaux are chasing one Olympic spot. Where Pavia seemed safe, Receveaux smelled blood and in a direct head2head it was Receveaux who struck in the last second. Although the decision is likely not about their own encounters, it is Receveaux who’s ranked best. Both could meet in the semi final

Helene Receveaux has a tough draw with Spanish Jaione Equisoain as well as Nekoda Davis and Arleta Podolak in the same pool C. Pavia will face Minakawa (ISR) or Centracchio (ITA) and has Roper on the other side, always a nice battle.

Without Telma Monteiro, Europe’s queen U57kg there’s enough to enjoy in Kazan. Monteiro won the European title 5 times, three times in this category.

Watch the stat.

German couple, Miryam Roper and Viola Waechter are also in a battle for Rio. One of the two will be successful in Kazan. But there are roadblocks such as Hedvig Karakas Hungary and Europe’s best seeded woman in Kazan Corina Caprioriu.

European athletes in the IJF World Ranking

2             Corina Caprioriu (ROU)

6             Telma Monteiro (POR)

7             Helene Receveaux (FRA)

8             Automne Pavia (FRA)

10          Hedvig Karakas (HUN)

Sabrina Filzmoser is always among the favourites, but has a tough year with the youngsters giving her a hard time. Some of those successful youngsters are in Kazan like Anna Borowska, Timna Nelson-Levy, Jaione Equisoain. Although it’s not expected they will fight for the medals, they can upset a big name. One of the outsiders will be Nora Gjakova of Kosovo who may face Hedvig karakas in a possible semi final. But also British Nekoda Davis is in a good shape but in a tough pool. Dutch Sanne Verhagen is back after an injury and will need some points, although the Europeans are not the target on itself. Polish Arleta Podolak maybe be able to inspire her friend Damian Szwarnowiecki (U73kg) on day 1 with a good result. The Polish experience a flow but in such pool, you must have a 100% score to finish first.

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

Telma Monteiro (POR)

Hedvig Karakas (HUN)

Nora Gjakova (KOS)

Miryam Roper (GER)

This Olympic cycle European Champions

2015      Telma Monteiro (POR)

2014      Automne Pavia (FRA)

2013      Automne Pavia (FRA)

2012      Telma Monteiro (POR)

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