Marlene Galandi rushes to German gold at Cadet world championships

German super talent Marlene Galandi won the first final on day four as she rushed past Millena Silva (BRA) in just 24 seconds. Silva, 17, the younger sister of Rio 2016 Olympian Mariana Silva, had no time to get into the contest as the sister of German senior international Philipp Galandi won the battle of the 1st Kyu brown belts by ippon with a deep seoi-nage. Galandi was also Cadet European Championships winner in July.

In the first semi-final Dutch judoka Kim Hooi lost out to Silva by a waza-ari score in a high-quality contest. Hooi was two-time Cadet European Cup medallist. The Brazilian, whose coach was just as animated as her, fought back the tears after the realisation that she had qualified for the gold medal contest. In the second semi-final Galandi defeated Cadet European Championships silver medallist Morgane Fereol (FRA) in a rematch of the continental final. A waza-ari was the difference as the German underlined her superiority to her French rival on the international stage.

The first bronze medal was won by Matsumoto Rizu (JPN) who, having won her previous contest with a majestic uchi-mata to qualify for the medal contest, threw her French opponent Fereol with a harai-goshi for a waza-ari score which was the difference after four minutes.

The second bronze medal was claimed by 16-year-old Raffaela IGL (GER) against Hooi of the Netherlands. The Dutchwoman received a decisive shido in golden score to hand the contest and bronze medal to the German 2nd kyu blue belt. 

With Galandi Germany won the second gold medal. Seija Ballhaus won gold U52kg. Galandi is the fifth Cadet World Champion for Germany. With the bronze of Raffaella Igl, Germany captured a total of seven medals, also in the junior division Germany is gaining strength.