Guillaume Chaine picks up the pace in Lisbon

Three weight categories were contested today at the European Open in Lisbon. It was gold for Spanish Francisco Garrigos, Tal Flicker of Israel, and Guillaume Chaine of France. Their first experience with the new rules was positive.

In total there were 220 men in Lisbon, or rather, close to Lisbon in Odivelas. The U60kg division was 30 men deep with Fran Garrigos as one of the favourites. First seeded was Eric Takabataka (BRA) progressed to the semi final but lost to Garrigos. His opponent in the final was Frenchman Cedric Revol who defeated Pavel Petrikov (CZE) in the semi. The Spaniard led the match after 100 seconds and never gave the lead away, taking the gold. Takabatake and young Belgian Jorre Verstraeten won the bronze in Odivelas.

Tal Flicker won the gold U66kg; he did not have to fight his final due to an injury for Kilian Le Blouch of France. Le Blouch did win his semi final against Baruch Shmailov to prevent an Israeli final. Flicker also bested Gevorg Khachatrian. Two other French made the podium: Sacha Flament and Alexandre Mariac. As expected, the French have a good team.

Finally, in U73kg the French had winner, also expected. Guillaum Chaine continues at a high level and taking frequent gold medals. He won the African Open in 2015 in Tunis, Euro Open in Minsk and Euro Open in Glasgow in 2015. Last year he was unlucky at the Grand Prix events, but this European Open win will give him confidence. In the final he bested Oleg Vasilev of Russia with oseikomi after 50 seconds in the golden score. Artem Khomula (UKR) and Anthony Zingg (GER) won the bronze.

Tomorrow more action: U81kg, U90kg, U100kg and +100kg.