French rule with 9 gold medals at Swedish Open in Lund

France built out its leading position at the European Cup in Sweden. In Lund the French judoka won 6 out of the 7 gold medals available at the second day. Only Dutchman Stef van Kampen was able to keep out the French from the final stage. Van Kampen defeated Austrian Maximilian Hageneder in the final U100kg. Swedish Emil Mattson won bronze as well Dutch Sjoerd van Mierlo who celebrated his comeback with a medal.

For the rest it was France that ruled. U81kg Benoit Collin defeated Jonas Bjorktorp, one of the three male categories with two Frwench on the podium. Also U90kg two French on gold and bronze seats. Ludovic Gobert (30y) was expected to deal with this level, he defeated Jonathan Schindler of Switzerland in the final.

Another French veteran Matthieu Thorel (30) overcame Damian Nasiadko (23) of Poland in the final +100kg. In total the French men won 4 titles in Lund, the French women captured 5 titles, only the two Polish women won gold on Saturday. On Sunday Gwenaelle Viard defeated Lisa Mueller of Germany in the final U70kg. The 23-year old French Viard also won the European Cup in Sarajevo this year. Nete Dehlendorff won the fourth Danish medal this year in the European Cup tour. In this category Denmark also have Emilie Sook, while also the men starting to gain medals.

Young French talent Stessie Bastareaud (20), won her first European Cup, last year she finished second in Helsingborg, now she defeated Marjorie Ulrich (29), who appears often as coach in these kind of events. The categories U78kg and +78kg both had an all French final. Although +78kg was decided in a pool where Alice Delplanque took the gold for Anne M’ Bairo.

The last European Cup of this year will traditionally be held in Malaga, Spain.