Angels of the future are born in Porec

Azerbaijan have held on to their number one spot and are now closely chased by Turkey and Georgia. The Azeri have now won 8 medals, equaling the record in 2003, with one more day to fight. On the second day it was Georgia that impressed with two male gold medals.

The category U66kg was for the ‘big’ man, big in terms of mature judo, full of excitement. The cadet age is without a doubt finger licking to follow anyway with gutsy attacks, which was confirmed by Frenchman Kylian Noel who was relentless throughout the day and started with massive attacks against his opponent Saba Samadashvili and scored quickly with ko uchi. But the Georgian was patient and saw the shidos for Noel adding up. In the last minute it was Samadashvili who saw his chance for an attack and hit with ippon. The two Azeri athletes Abil Yusubov (AZE) and Nijat Naghiyev (AZE) took bronze in this class.

In the next male weight class Georgian had another ace. Giorgi Mishvelidze (GEO) won his final against Mihajlo Simin (SRB). Another exciting final with great judo but balanced. The match exploded in the last minute when Mishvelidze scored from a counter enough for a waza ari. A quick transition in to osaekomi was the final decision and another gold for Georgia.

Promising champions

Mishvelidze became the successor of Lasha Bekauri who in 2017 was the previous Georgian European Champion in this class. We all know that led into an Olympic title in 2021. In fact Khasan Khalmurzaev was European cadet champion in 2009 in this class and also he became Olympic champion in 2016. Don’t be surprised as here's another one that you should know: Elnur Mammadli won the European cadet title in 2004 and became Olympic Champion in 2008 in Beijing. If you think that wasn’t enough, Ilias Iliadis was European Champion U73kg in 2002, he was Olympic champion just two years later. Miracles happen in this class and Mishvelidze should only pick up the opportunity instead of the expectations.

Girl power

Hungary presented its ninth European cadet champion in history. Igaz Laura follows up some big names like Anett Meszaros, Hedi Karakas, Szabina Gercsak and Szofi Ozbas. Ozbas was the previous Hungarian champion, exactly in this category U52kg where Laura Igaz (HUN) controlled Luciana Catana (ROU) on her way to gold. Laura secured her gold medal by applying shime waza.  Charlotte Jenman (GBR) and Anna Tieliegina (UKR) took the bronze medals.

Fidan Alizada (AZE) added another gold medal for Azerbaijan, the third for the successful country that applied a few changes in the technical staff recently and is now the most successful country in the Europeans on its way to improve its own record of 8 medals and counting. Alizada countered smart on an attack of her opponent Inez Bognar (HUN). There was special medal for Anna Gulite (LAT) who was only the second ever medallist for her country in the history of this championship. The previous medal was in 2019, so that says enough about the progression in Latvia. Gaia Stella (ITA) took the second bronze medal U57kg.

Turkish delight

If there weren’t enough surprises, the unseeded Sinem Oruc surprised all after she reached the final. Against a strong French opponent number one seed and favourite, Doria Boursas (FRA) she got beaten by 15-year old Oruc who became the 11^th European cadet Champion ever of her country, the first one U63kg. The problem with the successful Turkish cadets is the transition to senior level, in fact from the previous Turkish cadet champions only Belkis Zehra Kaya and Ebru Sahin had won senior European medals. Let’s hope Oruc and Thursday’s champion Zilan Ertem are assets for the future of Turkish judo. It was the last contest of the day on a memorable and perhaps historic day. We will know in a few years’ time as these talents can be the angels of the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.