Azerbaijan leads the Cadet Europeans in Porec

At the first day of the Cadet European Championships in Porec (CRO) on Thursday, Azerbaijan was the most successful with two European titles, both among the boys U18 years. Last year Azerbaijan was also leading after day one, even with three gold medals.

Shahin Orujzade (AZE) was successful in the final U55kg against Matija Jeremic (SRB). Orujzade was the favorite and had already proved success last month in the Bucharest European Cup. He seemed untouchable today and convinced in the final with good groundwork and brought the first gold to Azerbaijan. Not much later he was followed by Nizami Imranov (AZE) who won his final as well against Adam Major (HUN). He didn’t waste any time to score and Major Adam had no grip on the Azeri and only on the ground he was able to impress, but Imranov escaped like Houdini and then it was Imranov to take another score to finish the fight. It was not a surprise the two Azeri were taking the gold medals home. They have made an impression the whole season.

The first gold was for France and even in an all French final. Yahn Motoly Bongambe (FRA) was able to control his teammate Kais Guettari (FRA) in the final after both impressed today in Porec. Actually again (bronze) medals for Hungary and Azerbaijan by Sebestyen Kollar (HUN) and Mahammad Mamishov (AZE) to stupilate the talent those countries. France though was superb in this class. The French young men started with a success.

In the young women’s division three different countries won a gold medal, starting with Turkey that has had so many talents in this class, but it’s been a while for European gold. Ebru Sahin, the well known veteran started in 2008 with a European title. Today in Porec the career of Zilan Ertem (TUR) may have lifted from the ground. Top favourite Patricia Tomankova (SVK) was defeated in the final. The intensity of Ertem overcame the reputation of the Slovak talent who picked up three shidos, enough for a Turkish opening with gold.

The Netherlands had a clear favourite with Vera Wandel. She is among the most successful young athletes this year with three European Cup victories. She could be a new Dutch star already shining at the age of 16 and becoming the 12^th female Cadet European Champion this century. She succeeds Amber Gersjes who won the title U40kg in 2012 and became Junior World Champion in 2017 and Marin Visser (U63kg 2018). Being successful now is not yet a guarantee for a fancy career but certainly a good motivation. Wandel defeated strong French Morgane Annis in the final. Wandel took the lead scoring wazari and never gave away her chance to win gold in Porec. With an oseikomi she laughed her way to pick up that desired gold.

Another super talent comes from Sweden. Tara Babulfath did everything right today. Despite the fact we expect her to do so, the pressure on this age is still not so easy to deal with. A chance to become the second ever Swede to take the European cadet title after Emma Barkeling in 2008, and Babulfath didn’t disappoint. In the final U48kg she was able to overcome a well known opponent, Aydan Valiyeva (AZE). Not even a year ago Babulfath lost her European final and she took that experience into the fight knowing what it takes. In the last minute Babulfath scored wazari and secured the gold medal for the first time since 14 years. Tara comes from a very sporting family. Her father Mohammad was a successful Greco-Roman wrestler and he competed for Sweden at the 2004 Olympic Games. Her mother, Ida Hellstrom, was also a success in the wrestling world. Not so bad to take a medal at this age in your bag. Her family watched the final from the stands.