Dutch golden judo girls conquer Coimbra

The Netherlands are on top of the medal table after day one of the Junior European Cup in Coimbra. In Portugal more than 300 athletes are gathered for the second Junior event this year. The event started with a slight problem after three young women were sent home for a corona precaution, but the rest of the women’s team performed outstanding taking three gold medals.

Kamile Nalbat claimed the gold U63kg after defeating Portuguese Alice Pereira in a rather small field of 17 athletes. Yael van Heemst took another gold medal after she medalled at senior level in Zagreb. This time she was clear in the final that she decided in 15 seconds against Latvian Una Dolgilevica. Heavyweight Carmen Dijkstra took gold +78kg and she defeated Italian Asya Tavano in the final. Italy though did win gold in the U70kg weight class as Martina Esposito defeated Joana Crisostomo of the home team.

In the men’s division Azerbaijan, Russia and Romanian took the gold medals. Azxeri Lightweight Turan Bayramov claimed the gold against Italian Simone Aversa U60kg. Kantemir Kodzov of Russia defeated his countryman Abrek Naguchev U66kg and Adrian Sulca was the best U73kg and overcame Spanish Kavier Pena Insausti in the final in a category with 46 European talents.

Witnessed by the Olympic medallists Telma Monteiro and coaches Sally Conway and Dirk van Tichelt as well as World medallist Andri Egutidze, the youth had some great examples in the venue what their future level can be.

Tomorrow more action in Coimbra. Watch the photos by Rui Telmo Romão.