Russian boys and Israelian girls strong in Coimbra

The cadets of Russia did a good job at the Cadet European Cup in Coimbra. The Russian youngsters won 7 gold medals. Israel captured three titles, Spain and France were good for two victories.

The first gold medal of the tournament was for Russia Liliana Salimianova took gold U40kg. But the girls from Israel were also very strong with three gold medals: Tamar Malca won gold U44kg, Gefen Primo U52kg and Maya Goshen U57kg. Primo won the tournament last year as well and was the only judoka to prolong the title.

The sixth victory for Israel in this age category but three in one event. Also France was good with two gold medals by Jade Desbuis U48kg and Perrine Saint Etienne  in a French final against Ayse Gokmen. Spain added its first gold medal when Begona Sotillo won her category U70kg against Portuguese Carolina Paiva. Host Portugal lost three finals this tournament but still the best performance since 2013.

In the boys division Spain took the first gold via Jaume Bernabeu Rico U50kg. But then the Russian came with five victories for Russia. Arman Gambarian U55kg bested Frenchman Yhonice Goueffon in the final and for Goueffon it was his second loss, just like last year. Then Khetag Basaev won gold U60kg and Karen Galstian U66kg all at the first day. Mansur Lorsanov U81kg won on Sunday as well in an all Russian final. Valeriy Endovitskiy took gold U90kg.

Italian Alessandro Magnani defeated Russian Matveev and won gold U73kg on Sunday. The last gold was for Croatia with heavyweight Filip Miljevic who won his second event of the year.