Victor Sterpu writes history for Moldova on golden day

At the second day of the European Championships Victor Sterpu captured the first European title for his country Moldova in history after his victory against Lasha Shavdatuashvili. In the men’s division U81kg Tato Grigalashvili won the title after he overcame Ivaylo Ivanov in the final. the French women did what was expected, two gold medals. Both Clarisse Agbegnenou and Margaux Pinot retained their title of last year in Minsk. In Prague France is now leading the medal table.

Agbegnenou is a solid player, quadruple world champion and now five time European Champion. Magdalena Krssakova of Austria was good today and defeated Martyna Trajdos (GER) in the semi final, but couldn’t prevent Agbegenou from winning the gold again. Trajdos took bronze afterall as well as Dutch woman Juul Franssen.

The same final for women U70kg as last year in Minsk where Sanne van Dijke was eager to take revenge. Margaux Pinot though struck in the first serious attack with a smooth seoi nage and claimed the gold against and left Van Dijke with silver. Van Dijke does make a gap with her rival Kim Polling for an Olympic spot but that won’t take away the pain. Pinot again confirms her status whilst World Champion Marie Eve Gahie took the bronze after her loss to Van Dijke in the semi. Madina Taimazova of Russia won the first women’s medal for her country.

Victor Sterpu of Moldova wrote history with a first European title, so far he seems the surprise of the tournament although we know he is good shape given his U23 European title U73kg last week and Junior European title last year. He should now be able to qualify for the Olympic Games and write history again. Four players from Moldova had so far lost a European final, five other won bronze. At the tenth medal it’s jackpot for Moldova when he defeated Lasha Shavdatuashvili in the final.

Swedish Tommy Macias overcame Fabio Basile (ITA) in the battle for bronze. Rustam Orujov who lost to Shavdatuashvili took bronze in this category. Orujov defeated Swiss Nils Stump for the second tie in a month in a medal bout.

Tato Grigalashvili won the gold medal for Georgia as he defeated Bulgarian Ivaylo Ivanov in the final U81kg. Grigalashvili had won against Luka Maisuradze in the quarter final and top favourite Matthias Casse in the semi final. Maisuradze won bronze against Frank de Wit. Matthias Casse had to fight his countryman Sami Chouchi in the battle for bronze and the contest was decided after more than five minutes in the golden score by Casse.