Georgian juniors warm up in Cluj, Stojadinov shines again

The Georgian team was efficient this time at the European Cup for Juniors in Cluj Napoca in Romania. With three gold medals and ten medals in total, the Georgians were the winners of the medal table. Again the junior men took care of all three gold medals. However four out of the ten were gained by young women, not a bad score compared to the past.

Starting with the men Moldova delivered also an extraordinary performance. With two gold medals for Adil Osmanov U60kg and Victor Sterpu U73kg. The Ukraine opened the gold series with Dilshot Khalmatov U55kg. Wachid Borchashvili claimed the gold medal for Austria U73kg where Georgian Niazashvili was left with silver. But Georgia won gold on the second day with a victory for Tato Grigalashvili U81kg, Zauri Kenchadze U100kg and heavyweight Gela Zaalishvili who won his first gold medal.

Romania lost the finals U55kg and U73kg but struck U90kg by Eduard Serban who booked his first European Cup.

Just like the men’s lightweight the Ukraine won gold at the women’s U44kg by Kateryna Sablieva. Andrea Stojadinov of Serbia keeps on collecting medals in the juniors, this time her fourth victory and prolongation of last year’s title. It was her fourth medal this season and this makes her one of the most coinvincing title candidates for the forthcoming major titles. But also Marica Perisic is getting stronger each event while she is still a junior. This time gold for her U57kg. Romanian was strong at home in Cluj and claimed two gold medals won by Olga Severin U63kg and it was 1-2-3 on the podium U78kg where Alexandra Mazilu took the gold medal. Mazuli also won last year in Cluj. On Saturday Olivia Piechota won her first European Cup after a few medals last year. Swedish Ida Eriksson defeated Mariam Tchanturia in the final U70kg and won the first European Cup gold for Sweden since 2014. Croatian heavyweight Helena Vukovic is always a gold contender and this time successful in Cluj +78kg as youngest winner of the weekend. Cluj was the last test for the European Championships this year in Sofia and World Championships at the Bahamas.