Momentous judo day for Moldova as Matveiciuc breaks new ground

Moldovan talent Eugen Matveiciuc won the heaviest weight category on day three in the most successful day in the history of Moldovan judo. Matveiciuc, EYOF and Cadet European Championships bronze medallist, who cites French heavyweight king Teddy Riner as one of his inspirations.

Matveiciuc had form coming into this competition and Moldova’s leading young gun did not disappoint as he completed his dream day by beating Cadet Pan American Championships winner Agustin Gil of Argentina in the U81kg final in golden score by a shido.

This landmark result for Moldova could just be a taster of what’s to come as the Moldova Judo Federation signed an agreement with the IJF in February during the Paris Grand Slam to become part of the IJF Judo for Schools programme that is now running in over 40 countries.

In the first semi-final Cadet Asian Championships winner Madzhidov Dzhakhongir (TJK) could not match Matveiciuc who floored his opponent in golden score with a ouchi-gari for a match-winning waza-ari. In the second semi-final Gil defeated EYOF and Cadet European Championships silver medallist Toth Benedek (HUN) in golden score. With the scores tied at a waza-ari apiece after four minutes, additional time was required and after two further minutes it was Gil who came out victorious with a uchi-mata for a waza-ari score.

The first bronze medal was won by Toth over 17-year-old Cadet Asian Championships bronze medallist Muzaffarbek Turoboyev (UZB). In a disjointed contest, as the their styles did not blend well together, the Uzbek launched a weak attack after two minutes of golden score and Toth had just enough control and momentum to claim the waza-ari.

The second bronze medal was claimed by Serikbolsyn Shyntas (KAZ) who pinned down Madzhidov for 20 seconds from the comfort of being a waza-ari to the good from the opening minute.