Tina Trstenjak hunted by Pinot in great European final U63kg

Tina Trstenjak successfully defended her European title in Warsaw. The Slovenian European, World, and Olympic champion won her final against Margaux Pinot of France. This year she defeated Pinot at the Grand Slam, but this match was completely different and stretched into a battle of 8 minutes 29 seconds.

Pinot was a good opponent and she made it to the final score. Golden score commenced with a shido already on the cards for Pinot. The Slovenian then picked up a first penalty. Trstenjak had to dig down deep initially, Pinot looked the fitter judoka in the golden score period. After more than six minutes of fighting a small lip injury for Trstenjak gave her some air and when she returned, Pinot smelled a victory. However, the tables turned and Trstenjak pressured Pinot heavily. The women even doubled the time at high speed but the throwing power soaked away. After 4 minutes 29 in the golden score Pinot missed an attack where Trstenjak got a penalty earlier, which meant a second penalty and loss for Pinot. Never once, in nearly 9 minutes of competition, did the match feel stale or defensive. Both judoka fought to the end.

After two lost finals in 2014 and 2015 Trstenjak now collects her second European title. For Pinot it was her first European medal. She stepped down to U63 coming from U70 in March 2016.

Trstenjak reached the final via Davydova (RUS), Gwend (ITA), and Trajdos (GER). Pinot had a walkover against that other favourite, Clarisse Agbegnenou, who gave up the fight due to an injury. She didn’t fight for bronze either. Pinot overcame Bazysnki (GER) and world number three Unterwurzacher (AUT) in the first two matches. Kathrin Unterwurzacher defeated Trajdos and won the bronze as well as Schlesinger who had a bye against Agbegnenou.