French judoka collect eight titles at African Open Casablanca

The French judoka captured eight gold medals at the African Open in Casablanca this weekend. Frenchman Julian Kermarrec is one of those judoka who is in a good shape. He won his second African Open this season, he also won the edition in Tunis.

On Saturday the first medals were for the French team with lightweights Lucile Duport U48kg and Jolan Florimont who bested his country man Luka Mhkeidze U60kg. The French won the first four categories in the men’s division with Kevin Azema who won the gold U66kg in a final against Gar Uriarte (ESP). Pierre Duprat defeated Czech judoka Jakub Jecminek in the final U73kg. France won 34 medals at African Open events in history after today, Julian Kermarrec is only one who won both events this year. He defeated Joao Martinho of Portugal in the final U81kg.

Also the categories U100kg and +100kg delivered French gold. Alexandre Iddir, normally fighting U90kg is of world class level and won the African Open U100kg in the final against Zlatko Kumric of Croatia. Tall heavyweight Nabil Zalagh captured gold against Czech judoka Michal Horak. France won 13 medals in the men’s division but the gold U90kg was for Spain. Nikoloz Sherazashvili defeated Ludovic Gobert in the final U90kg. Successful Polish fighter Piotr Kuczera won the bronze.

Lucile Duport was successful for France U48kg, also Cloe Yvin won the gold U63kg. European Champion Charline van Snick had a good warm-up for the European Championships in Warsaw. In Casablanca she won the gold after her final against Estrella Lopez (ESP). Anna Borowska is also in a good shape as she took the second gold medal this season, previously she won gold in Prague.

Sara Rodriguez claimed her first senior victory outside Spain. The 21-year old Spanish bested Lucie Perrot in the final U70kg. Perrot defeated Katarzyna Klys in the semi final, but the Polish won bronze as well as 18-year old Karla Prodan who was the youngest medallist in Casablanca. The oldest medallist took the gold U78kg, Assmaa Niang (34) delivered gold for the organising country. It made Niang the second oldest winner at an African Open ever, Ilse Heylen (38) set the record in 2016.

The heavyweight title was for Monica Sagna of Senegal, the bronze medallist of the African Championships who won bronze last year in Casablanca. Sagna defeated Anna M’Bairo of France in the final.