Junior European Cup Prague good rehearsal for Europeans

The Juniors of Turkey proved to be among the best in their age category. At the Junior European Cup in Berlin, the Turkish women captured 7 medals, Bilal Ciloglu added a gold medal on Saturday in his category U66kg. Ilayda Seyis (U57kg) and heavyweight Sebiie Akbulut won the two women’s gold medals.

Germany had a good warm up for next week’s European Cup in Berlin. With two gold medals the German’s had a fair stake, although the gold for Sarah Maekelburg was somewhat easy in an unexpected field of just two women U78kg. U63kg was a battle in the final between two German women: Marie Klose defeated Antonia Freitag. Aleksandra Samardzich is stable and won the final U70kg against Sara Rodriguez, also solid with silver.

On Saturday Hungary won the two lightweight categories via victories of Brigitta Varga U44kg, with another silver medal for Spain for Mireia Lapuerta. Reka Pupp, fifth at the senior European Championships took the victory U48kg against Gulkader Senturk (TUR). It was the 16^th medal for Pupp in the history of the European Cups and third victory. She won 7 silver medals, but started to convert them in to gold. She was sustained a shoulder injury five weeks ago but seems back on track via this important test in advance of the European Championships where she defends her title.

Anja Stangar of Slovenia booked her third victory in the European Cups as well U52kg against finalist Irem Korkmez of Turkey, but as mentioned Ilayda Seyis won her category U57kg for Turkey.

Azerbaijan had a traditional final with compatriots; Karamat Huseynov overcame Nariman Ahmadov. Cadet World Champion Denislav Ivanov of Bulgaria won his category U60kg. Kang Heon-Cheol of Korea won the division U73kg loaded with 51 young men. Korea won three medals in total this weekend.

Koba Mchedlishvili won his second European Cup in his career. The World junior number three from Georgia defeated Martin Matijass of Germany in the final U81kg. Yahor Varapayeu of Belarus won the European Cup in Kaunas, but now also in Prague. His team won bronze last year in Abu Dhabi, so they have high hopes for the future. Austria won the last two medals for men U100kg by Aaron Fara and Stephan Hegyi who wants to earn a spot in the senior team in the next Olympic cycle.

The event had the best field since 2010when 426 athletes participated in Prague, but not all categories were spread well. Next week in Berlin new chances for the juniors with usually a strong international field as well.