Russian Federation President Putin opens European Judo Championships in Kazan

Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin opened the European Judo Championships in Kazan with a speech for the 8700 fans in the stadium. With the opening ceremony the judo event was opened with a solid show. It was for the last time in 2014 at the World Championships in Chelyabinsk that president Putin visited a large judo event like this. He visited the team event then. In 2010 he visited the European Championships in Vienna where he also held a speech on the podium.

President Putin: "In this beautiful city in Kazan in Tartastan the tournament has started. I welcome the athletes, the coaches and the admirers of this sport. I express my gratitude to Tatarstan for hosting this event. They know how to host big events like this. The Martial arts have great popularity in Russian and in Tatarstan, including judo. This spectacular sport with the techniques and respect makes it really a special sport. Respect and persistence is very important in our sport. It has a real combatant character. The promotion of judo in this nation is highly promoted by our fighters. We are proud of their skills and we expect new performances from them both individual and in the team. We wish goodluck to all participants and may the best win. I declare the 2016 European Championships in Kazan opened."

President Putin was accompanied by IJF President Marius Vizer during the opening ceremony as well as Russian athletes Yulia Ryzhova and Arsen Galstyan who won bronze on Thursday at the opening day. 

Today Denis Iartcev reached the semi final against favourite Rustam Orujov U73kg

Khasan Khalmurzaev is in the final U81kg against Ivaylo Ivanov, Robin Pacek will face favourite and triple EUropean champion Avtandili Tchrikishvili.

In the women's division no Russian finallists. U63kg Tina Trstenjak will face Edwige Gwend and Kathrin Unterwurzacher fights Yarden Gerbi. Ekaterina Valkova (RUS) will fight for bronze.

U70kg triple European champion Kim Polling fights World Champion Gevrise Emane and surprise Esther Stam grabbed her last chance for qualification and will fight Fanny Estelle Posvite in the semi final.