Daria Bilodid only judoka to defend her European title successfully

The most incredible achievement at the European Cadet Championships was displayed achieved by Daria Bilodid of the Ukraine. The 15 years old judoka started the day as number 3 seed in the U48kg category. Bilodid won the Cadet European title last year in the U44kg category and she was ready to take it all away once again.

Bilodid began the day by facing Gultaj Mammadaliyeva (AZE) who seemed to be the most challenging opponent for the young Ukrainian. Only a shido difference allowed Bilodid to go through to the next round. It must have been a wake up call for Bilodid as from that moment onwards, she was on fire, taking out all of her three remaining opponents by Ippon. Julie Weill Dit Morey (FRA) suffered a defeat by a strangle, whilst Andrea Stojadinov (SRB) was set back by an arm-lock.

In the final, Irena Khubulova (RUS) was thrown by an astonishing ouchi-gari. Bilodid won both, Cadet European and World titles last year and by the end of today, she was able to add an additional Cadet European title to her collection. The Cadet journey of the Ukrainian glare is not over yet as next year she will still be competing amongst this age group.

Bilodid also competes at Junior level and with her father, Gennady Bilodid, being World Champion bronze medallist (2005 Cairo) no doubt that this is only a beginning of a long and very successful journey for the Ukrainian excellence.

Daria Bilodid concluded her thoughts after the medal ceremony to the EJU reporter: “For me, it was more interesting to move up and fight a weight class above instead of cutting weight. Either way, the goal was to come here and win it again. My highlight was definitely the final today because our emotions are always the highest there.”

Bilodid will be in action next at the Junior European Cups and she will also start her preparation for the Junior European Championships later on this year.