Daria Bilodid and Alexander Wieczerzak make comeback in Celje

Daria Bilodid made her return at the tatami after she didn’t fight at the European Championships to defend her title. In Celje this weekend she won the European Cup U48kg on Saturday. The 17-year youngster was obviously the youngest winner this weekend. Bilodid defeated last year’s winner Hitomi Sakaguchi (JPN).

In Celje, 2011 European Champion Penelope Bonna who is more often at events as a coach, was this time golden girl U52kg. She claimed the gold medal against Nanami Nagano of Japan. The French were good for four gold medals and they won all their finals. Together with Russian the French dominated in Slovenia, also winning four gold medals. In the category +100kg it was an all Russian final, won by Aslan Dzhioev.

Germany also had a strong team in Celje with 72 participants. With 14 medals they were successful but not as efficient as France and Russia. Especially the categories for women U70kg and U78kg had many strong Germans however the gold was for French Melissa Heleine. Lisa Dollinger (GER) snatched the gold U78kg beating Linda Politi (ITA). For Croatia Ivana Maranic won the gold +78kg on Sunday. Again many Germans and a few strong Ukraine women. Japan won two gold medals: Yuri Nagira U57kg and Masako Doi U63kg won their categories.

Among men Russia was very strong on Sunday with three gold medals. On Saturday Yago Abuladze captured gold U60kg against last year’s winner Moritz Plafky (GER). Vang-Si Nzaou of France was the surprising winner U66kg against Lukasz Golus (POL). An all-German final U73kg was won by Robert Barwig against Schamil Dzavbatyrov.

Russian Turpal Tepkaev defeated Benedek Toth (HUN) U81kg. Finally a medal and victory in his last match for Niklas Bloechl (GER). French Guillaume Riou won gold U90kg against Jamal Petgrave (GBR). In this category 2017 World Champion Alexander Wieczerzak made his comeback with a fifth place, one category higher than his usual weight category. Perhaps one of the biggest talents of Russia is vice World Champion Arman Adamian who won gold U100kg and defeated both Ukraine judoka Mindyla and Hutsol in his last two contests.

No medal for Slovenia at all which is a novity, never the host country didn’t win a medal since the start of this tournament in 2005. Since 2005 there was always a gold medal, except for 2017. This edition not even a medal. However it’s not a direct indication that Slovenia has lost its magic, at World Championships level there was always a medal since 2005 as well. Only 2009 no medal. Slovenia won an Olympic medal each edition of the Olympic Games since 2004.