Turkey takes 18 medals at European Cup for Cadets in Antalya

The cadets of Brazil and Azerbaijan are the winners of the European Cup for judoka U18 years in Antalya. Both nations won four gold medals and had 6 positions in the finals. The home team of Turkey captured three gold medals.

Traidtionally the Azeri man are strong in the lightweights resulting in gold for Ali Askarzade U50kg, Amrah Salimli U55kg and Gnyaz Mahmudlu U66kg. U60kg the gold was reserved for Kazach judoka Nurzat Salimbayev. Three Turkish fighters all lost the finals in these categories. But U73kg the first place was for Muhammet Koc. Mert Sismanlar claimed the gold U81kg. U90kg again an Azeri judoka struck with gold, in an all Azeri final Jafar Akbarli bested his compatriot Adil Karimli. The only gold for Brazil in the men’s division was for Leonardo Sant Ana of Brazil.

In the women’s division though Brazil dominated the middle categories with three gold medals for Nicole Franzoi (U52kg), Luana Santos who defeated her country woman Bruna Bereza in the final U57kg and gold for Gabriella Moraes U63kg. Surprising were the two gold medals for Tunisia; Safa Jelassi and Fatma Laabidi won the two heaviest categories. Also the Tunisian girls were in two finals that were lost, but it’s a hopeful sign for the Tunisian youth.

Hungarian Timea Kardos took the gold U44kg on Saturday. The Ukraine won the gold U40kg, Anastasiia Balaban in the final against Turkish Gunes, but Turkey did win gold U48kg where Zeliha Cinci defeated her teammate Kader Divan. In total Turkey won 18 medals, more than any other nation in a field of 362 young judoka.