Konstantin Simeonidis propels Russia on Top of the Podium

Russian talent Konstantin Simeonidis has been regular on the cadet and Junior circuit for several years, as he was Cadet European Champion in 2016 and European Junior silver medallist in 2018. This year, he went one step further as he entered the final of the junior world championships in Marrakech against the 2016 Cadet European Champion Ahmad Yusifov of Azerbaijan.

It quickly made no doubt that the two athletes, despite their young age, already knew each other perfectly and had studied one another's judo carefully. The seoi of one were followed by low kata-guruma of the other. While they were entering the last minute, there was only one shido each awarded. 60 seconds later the Golden score started, without anyone being capable of saying what would be the outcome of the match.

After 32 seconds of additional time, Simeonidis launched an attack with standing shoulder movement, which he combined with an o-soto-gari after a timely change of direction. This liberating waza-ari offered the first gold medal for Russia.

In the first bronze medal contest of the category, Suematsu Ken (JPN) for his first appearance on the international circuit was opposed to Kubanychbek Aibek Uulu (KGZ), who finished at an honorable 7th place at the Senior Tokyo World Championships on August 25 this year. After having been penalized twice, Aibek Uulu had to take risks if he wanted to win the medal. But Suematsu didn't let him take the lead and scored a beautiful waza-ari with a reversed seoi-nage, and then controlled the rest of the contest until the final gong.

Turkey has proved to be on top of the young age categories with several impressive results during the last Cadet World Championships in Almaty. Once again, the Turkish delegation was present with skillful athletes in Marrakech, as Salih Yildiz (TUR) was opposed to Hakberdi Jumayev (TKM) for the second bronze medal contest. The least we can say is that the contest started at a high pace, both athletes trying to impose their speed and their techniques, obviously not tired after a long day of competition. But it's finally, Yildiz who took the bronze medal by performing an unstoppable kata-guruma for ippon.