British girls capture two home medals at European Cup London

London 2012 Olympian Kelly Edwards and Nekoda Davis led the way for Great Britain on the opening day of the London British Open European Cup, whilst the French team topped the medal table as the first day came to a close. Over 320 judoka were in action at K2, Crawley, with 29 countries represented in the two-day long event.

Edwards, who now trains in Scotland, was fighting at U52kg, one weight up from that she competed at in London. She beat three French judoka on her way to the title, the first two by ippon before a narrow victory on shidos over Louise Raynaud in the final. Bronze medals went to Julia Rosso and Issoumaila Aurelia.

British Judo Centre of Excellence athlete Nekoda Davis won the gold medal at U57kg, throwing and holding Italy’s Maria Centracchio for an ippon win. Bronze medals went to Alessia Regis and Anna Righetti of Italy.

Kimberley Renicks took a bronze medal for GB in the U48kg category. She lost in the semi-final to gold medallist Melanie Clement of France. Belgium’s Anne-Sophie Jura got silver with Patrizia De-Luigi of Italy taking the other bronze.

The men’s U66kg category saw three medals for France with Alexandre Mariac beating Kevin Azema for the gold. Bronze medals went to Frank Vernez (France) and Junior Degen of the Netherlands with Great Britain’s Nathon Burns taking fifth after he was unable to fight the bronze medal contest due to injury.

Italy’s Fabio Andreoli won the gold medal in the U60kg category, beating Hungarian athlete Lazlo Burgan in the final. Bronze medals were won by Daniel Lombardo of Italy and Victor Leboedec of France.

Nikita Khomentovsky of Russia took gold in the U73kg category with Estonia’s Kunter Rothberg unable to compete in the final. Bronze medals went to Ermes Tosolini of Italy and Ludovic Cavallera of France.

Austria picked up gold in the U63kg category with Magdalena Krssakova beating Italian Martina Epifani who took silver. Dutch athlete Jennifer Wichers and Claire Pierret of France claimed the bronze medals.