Competitive field in Leibnitz cherishes quality winners

Seven different winning nations at the European Cup for Juniors in Leibnitz, but host nation Austria won silver U70kg by Michaela Polleres. The Austrian ace lost her final to Saki Niizoe of Japan. Natascha Ausma (NED) and Aleksandra Samardzic (BIH).

The Azeri men have proved to be strong in the European Cups. Natig Gurbanli won his second European Cup of the season U55kg. He won in St. Petersburg and now in Leibnitz in the final against Alii Pafov (RUS). The Russian lost three finals. The second was against Hidayet Heydarov U73kg. Also Heydarov won his second event of the season U73kg and seemed to have no disadvantage at all after switching weight.

U60kg the gold went to Kazachstan where Zhaksybek Zhenisbek overcame Neil MacDonald (GBR) in the final. World Cadet champion Denislav Ivanov (BUL) won bronze.

Denis Vieru won gold for Moldova, a country that is again rebuilding a strong team after most seniors left the UAE. But the new wind results in good performances at Cadet and Junior level. He booked the first victory this season for his country when he won the final against Amir Shegushev, the third Russian who lost his last bout. Austrian medal hope Mathias Csizsek finished fifth  after losing his bronze battle against Giovanni Esposito (ITA).

The exciting category U63kg was won by Lubjana Piovesana, back on track and this time she defeated Lara Reimann (GER) again, just like in Bad Blankenburg this year. Germany did win gold U78kg as Anna Maria Wagner regained her title of 2014. She is the first German woman U78kg to win her category twice. The third German victory in a row U78kg as last year Julie Hoelterhoff was the successor of Wagner. Russia did win gold afterall, by heavyweight Anna Gushchina who beat Maxime Brausewetter in the final.