Andreja Leski pleases Slovenia with European gold in Athens

At European Cadet Judo Championships in Greece Slovenia took a gold medal by Andreja Leski. Leski took gold in the U52kg after winning silver in 2013 at the European Cadet Championship in the U48kg. In the final, the Slovenian overcame a challenge by Betina Temelkova (BUL), a bronze medallist at the World Cadet Championships 2013 in the U48kg.

At the beginning, Leski and Temelkova were evenly matched. Leski then scored a yuko 50 seconds before the end and was able to hold on to this lead to win the title.                         

“To be honest, I came here for the gold. So I met my expectations. I wasn’st sure, though, if the -52kg will be for me, but then the year went well for me. This was my last competition in the cadets, I will move up to juniors now. Last year I had a knee injury, this year everything was fine. Winning was very important to me, but next year I’sll start from scratch”, Leski shared.                      

Pauline Starke (GER) defeated Lydia Boudouaia (FRA) in the bronze medal match. Gwenaelle Patin (FRA) earned the other bronze medal over Nazakat Khalili (AZE).                

Top seeds Kristina Shilova (RUS) and Barbara Ertl (GER) had lost early on.               

This category featured 28 judoka.