Azerbaijan celebrates four Cadet European Champions

At the opening day of the Cadet European Championships in Odivelas the team of Azerbaijan captured four gold medals and one bronze. Without doubt the Azeri do not only dominate the world ranking but also equaled the old record of 2000 when the event was divided over two days, instead of the three days of the individual tournament in Portugal.

Also in 2000 the team of Azerbaijan won four cadet European titles and one bronze medal. Just like in 2021 the Azeri qualified for four finals, but this time won all of the title chances. Compared to 2021 when the team won three gold medals and silver in exactly the same categories.Mahammad Mamishov claimed the gold medal U50kg in his final against Bence Galo of Hungary. Ahmad Rustamov even took a bronze medal alongside Israeli Ben Tamary. Mirkhalig Iskandarov won his final U55kg against Serbia’s Jorgic in great speed and scored after 15 seconds and set the tone for another opportunity. U60kg it was Mahammad Musayev defeated Sebestyen Kollar in a great final, another unlucky finalist for Hungary. Not just the strong boys took gold but this time also Vusala Hajiyeva won her title by oseikomi against Germany’s Libi Becker. Hajiyeva became the successor of Tara Babulfath (SWE) and before her in 2021 it was Aydan Valiyeva who won the first European title for Azerbaijan in this class. The Azeri always have strong talents in the lightweight categories. Coach of the Azeri team is Nijat Shikhalizada, himself Cadet European Champion in 2004. One year later he won World bronze at senior level at the age of 16!

The title U40kg went to Slovakia as Patricia Tomankova confirmed her strong European Cup season and defeated Nina Auer of Austria in the final.She is the first Slovak judoka since Milan Randl won the European Cadet title in 2003 and the first European Champion since then, the third of her country as the first european champion was at senior level: Jozef Krnac in 1997.

Spanish Marta Beorlegui Oses was able to win the gold U44kg and defeated Ronja Klein of Germany. Beorlegui Oses stepped into the footlight of Mireia Lapuerta Comas who was the previous Spanish European champion in 2016 and fourth female Spanish Cadet champion ever.

Spain is at the second position behind Azerbaijan after day one in Portugal.