Satisfying test event for European Games in Minsk

The judoka from Belarus achieved to match the three gold medals of last year, a very motivating performance at the European Open in Minsk 2018, a test event for the 2019 European Games in Minsk. The home team added two gold medals on Sunday.

Even without last year’s winner Yahor Varapayeu, the category U90kg was taken over by compatriot Viktar Kliavusau who defeated Oleksandr Kruk of the Ukraine in the final. Kliavusau overcame Mikhail Marchitan (UAE) in the semi final after both had reached the semi finals. In a field of 42 judoka Kliavusau won all his 6 contests.

Heavyweight Vladislav Tsiarpitski of the Belarus team took a more expected gold medal. He had to win four matches and bested Filipp Ivanov of Russia in the final in the golden score.

Georgian Zebeda Rekhviashvili is on his way back, with a victory in Minsk he showed he can still fight at a higher level. Rekhviashvili booked his first victory since 2014 at this level when he won the European Open in Oberwart. In the final in Minsk Rekhviashvili hold off Etienne Briand of Canada from a gold medal. Rekhviashvili won five contests.

The experienced former World number one U100kg Elmar Gasimov won his category. His first victory since the World Masters in May 2016, more than two years and at a lower level. But good enough for a warming up for the World Championships in his own country Azerbaijan. In the final he bested 2015 European U23 Champion Oleg Ishimov of Russia. Home fighter Mikita Sviryd was one of the favourites to win a medal and in this quality field at European Open level, Sviryd was able to please the home crowd. He lost to Ishimov in the semis but overcame Bogdan Voitsik of Belarus.

The Netherlands was strong in the women’s division. Natascha Ausma was happy to take the victory U70kg in a strong field with former European Championships runner up Giovanna Scoccimarro who finished fifth, another German talent Sarah Maekelburg who won bronze but the only German opponent for Ausma was Olympic bronze medallist Laura Vargas Koch. The German was not elected for the World Championships in Baku but determined to set a good result in Baku. Although she doesn’t have the shape yet, her silver medal is encouraging to prolong the race for Tokyo 2020. Ausma is the third quality Dutch athlete with Sanne van Dijke, Hilde Jager and Kim Polling as rivals for the hot spots. It’s another surprise for Ausma defeated Emilie Sook (DEN) in the semi final. Alessandra Prosdocimo won bronze for Italy, not bad in this field.

Ilone Lucassen surprised with gold U78kg, her first World Cup victory. In the final Lucassen won against Sophie Berger of Belgium. Also in Belgium there’s some rivalry for the hot sports, albeit not at the Dutch level. The Dutch obviously have Verkerk, Stevenson and World number one Steenhuis as preferred spots for the major events,. What a luxury with Larissa Groenwold (NED) who captured bronze today together with Omri Kenyon (ISR).

Anzhela Gasparian of Russia won the heavyweight category. Without former World number one Maryna Slutskaya, the crowd didn’t get a Belarussian medal. Gasparian defeated Sandra Jablonskyte (LTU). Ukrainians Sapsai and Kyrychenko won bronze. With three gold medals and two bronze a satisfying test event for the European Games next year in the same sports hall.