Beka Gviniashvili on course for his first U23 European title

At the second day of the European U23 Championships in Tel Aviv the final spots are taken. The last six judoka are preparing for the final block. Today four categories for men and three for women.

One of the top categories is the U90kg division with a super semi final between Nemanja Majdov in his new category and Beka Gviniashvili in his old, and new, category. Gviniashvili showed his skills immediately but Majdov came back with good answers, in the end Gviniashvili switched direction and caught Majdov for a point, but Majdov still had space for the left over seconds, but couldn’t win this battle. Gviniashvili in the final as expected and his opponent will be Yahor Varapayeu, quite a surprise. The Belarussian defeated Peter Zilka  (SLV). The Georgian never won a medal at European U23 Championships and can close the triple of winning Cadet, Junior and U23 European titles as 14th person ever.

Two Dutchman in the semi finals U81kg but Koba Mchedlishvili of Georgia and Antonio Esposito qualified for that final.

Another Belarussian in the final U100kg with Mikita Sviryd who defeated Dutch youngster Simeon Catharina in the semi. Sviryd will fight Niiaz Bilalov of Russia, a more expected finalist. Bilalov defeated Zalan Ohat of Hungary in the semi.

In the plus category heavy battles and number one seed Harun Sadikovic was opposed to Iakov Khammo of Ukraine, last year’s number three of the senior worlds. Iakov won his pool and qualified for the final after he beat Dutchman Jur Spijkers. Tamerlan Bashaev of Russia is a good opponent Khammo. He beat Anton Rudnyk to prevent an all Ukrainian final.

In the women’s division U70kg British Jemima Yeats-Brown and Hungarian Szabina Gercsak were the favourites in advance and they made it to the final although it wasn’t easy today. Yeats-Brown defeated Bosnian Aleksandra Samardzic and Gercsak overcame Elisavet Teltsidou in the semi.

Anastasiya Turchyn is back at the highest podium. The Ukrainian qualified for the final against Evelin Salanki of Hungary. Another Ukrainian doing well today. Her opponent is from Russia, Antonina Shmeleva bested Paula Kulaga from Poland in the semi final. Also attractive bronze matches are expected.

Croatia’s Ivana Sutalo seemed to have found their way for instant success. Via the tall Yelyzaveta Kalanina (UKR) she progressed to the final. Sebile Akbulut gave Turkey the chance for a gold medal. The last medal was in 2013 by Ebru Sahin, the last Turkish loss in a final was in 2011, so Akbulut can write history for Turkey. Detail: Croatia has lost all of its five finals last year, including Ivana Sutalo.