Adam Kopecky brings another world title to Czech Judo

Judo in the Czech Republic is booming these days. Besides the third world title for Lukas Krpalek now Adam Kopecky captured the cadet world title, the first ever in his country. In June he won the European cadet title and he takes it all in 2019.

The final of the U73kg was the only one without Japanese. The Czech Adam Kopecky asserted his status as first seed to reach the final. With four titles in continental competitions, the Czech begins to be accustomed to major rendezvous. In front was the Turkish Musa Simsek, also with a couple of important victories. Turkey has an amazing tournament so far with three finals.

Both gave everything from the beginning, without contemplation, without calculating. Kopecky emulated Lukas Krpalek, World and Olympic champion and famous for his techniques in ne-waza. The young Kopecky became World champion by executing a powerful osae-komi who remembered the best moments of Krpalek.

His comments, after the final, were edifying. “In my last competition I finished seventh. It was a lesson in humility so I came to Kazakhstan without pressure despite being the number one in the world ranking,” he explained. When we asked him about his most complicated moment, Kopecky did not hesitate and analyzed his tournament: “The second contest, against Moldovan Dan Stanila, has been the toughest. Then, when I eliminated Russia Adam Tsechoev in the quarterfinals, I realized that I was in my best form and that I had a good chance of winning”. It is clear now that Krpalek already has a successor and, for those who want to improve the work on the ground, we recommend a trip to the Czech Republic.

Brazil also had a good day, with three judoka in the final block. To the silver obtained by Souza must be added the fifth place of Gustavo Gomes, who lost against the French Alexandre Tama by waza-ari in the battle for bronze.

As for the second bronze medal, it was a fight between the Olympic champion in the Youth Games, Azerbaijan Vugar Talibov, and Italy and four-time winner in continental tournaments, Luigi Centracchio. Talibov won with two waza-ari, the second five seconds to the end.