Brazil strong at European Cup in Prague

The juniors from Brazil have won the European Cup in Prague. Always a strong event with 386 juniors this time, 66% men 34% women. Only in 2010 there were more participants (426).

The Brazilian won 6 out of 16 categories. Ukraine and Kazakhstan also showed their talents. Kazakhstan is the organizer of the World Championships in one week, they are showing off these days in the seniors U60 and U66kg. The talents are booming and in Prague there was gold for Kazakhstan U55 and U60kg. Brazil won the categories U66kg, U90, U100 in the men and U44kg, U57kg and +78kg for women.

The Ukraine was strong last year taking three gold medals and this edition again with winner Artem Khomula U73kg who defeated his compatriot Koshliak. U81kg it was Rezo Mesablishvili who won the gold medal. +100kg Sergii Zveriev who won the European Cup in Wroclaw last week, took a second victory.

Artem Khomula has already achieved several good results among seniors this year. He placed 7th at Zagreb Grand Prix as well as at the Tbilisi Grand Prix, whilst he also placed fifth at the Sofian and the Warsaw European Opens. “It is somehow easier for me to compete with seniors than with juniors”, Khomula says. "I feel no pressure when I fight at Grand Prix or European Open. I always feel quite relaxed and I am able to concentrate to perform well. However, whenever I fight with juniors I know that the expectations are high. I am always very nervous. I placed second in Wroclaw last weekend and desperately wanted to win here in Prague”, he added.

Artem Khomula has great plans for the near future: “I want to win a medal both from the European and World Junior Championships. Neither the gap from the Rio qualification place is big so I have a lot of work in front of me in the near future”. Whoever witnessed his performance in Prague may confirm that Khomul's dreams are realistic.

Turkey is traditionally strong in the women’s lightweights. Also in Prague, but U44kg it was Larissa Farias who improved her silver of last year in Prague and changed it to gold. Turkish Tugba Yayla had to be satisfied with silver this time. Melisa Cakmakli  took bronze for Turkey.

In the category U48kg it was jackpot for Turkey with gold for Gulkader Senturk against Reka Pupp, who’s the world’s number two behind Senior World Champion Ami Kondo. Senturk won also gold in Leibnitz in June.

Mariana Esteves of Portugal defeated Jessica Lima of Brazil U52kg but U57kg it was Brazil celebrating the victory of Kamila Silva against Tecla Cadilla (ESP). Elisavet Teltsidou won gold this time U63, last year she won silver in Prague and she took her fourth victory in the IJF Tour in two years.

Austria won gold by Michaela Polleres who grabbed her second win U70kg, also in Lignano in March.

Sara Rodriguez found her best weight U78kg, since last year she won five European Cups and four this year. She is one of the favourites for the European title with Larissa Groenwold and Anastasiya Turchyn, perhaps Brigita Matic.

Camila Nogueira won the last medal for women +78kg in an all Brazilian final. Beata Pacut competed in this category and won her third bronze this year.

Next week is Berlin as last European Cup of this season.