France dominates European Cup in Malaga

France became the glorious winner of the European Cup in Malaga last weekend. The French captured four gold medals on Saturday and added three on Sunday.

The last in a series of events in Andalusia, where also European Junior Championships and previously World veteran Championships were held in 2014, an active judo city and fortunately for the organization home player Sara Rodriguez was able to capture a gold medal in the women’s U70kg weight class. Rodriguez defeated Lucie Perrot of France in a strong podium with Pueschel (GER) and Thoyer (FRA).

Barbara Bandel won gold in the women’s U78kg class. Bandel booked her eleventh medal at a European Cup which brings her in the top league of the list with mutiple medallists.

Bandel bested French Mathilde Gil in the final. Anne M’Bairo won the gold in the women’s division with just two women present in Malaga.

The French men also added two gold medals by Baptiste Pierre U81kg and Matthieu Thorel in the plus category. Thorel defeated team mate Messie Katanga in the final. Pierre overcame Estonian Klen Kristofer Kuljalaid. Sweden’s Julius Sonerud took the gold U90kg in the match against Germany’s Toni Grohn. Sonderud’s first international victory for the 19-year old while Grohn added a third European Cup medal. Philipp Galandi of Germany gave his country the third victory of the weekend after he bested good old Milan Randl (SVK) in the final. For Randl his eighth medal at a European Cup. Galandi took his second European Cup this season, he also won in Uster.

Malaga delivered five winning nations and France finished with 16 medals, seven gold, six silver and three bronze. That’s 15 more than last year where Germany stole the show.

Watch the stats generator here with multiple medallists