Krisztian Toth strikes in dying seconds with gold U90kg

The last victory of the European Championships U23 was for Russia. It gave the Russians the victory in the medal table. A remarkable number of eleven nations have won a gold medal. At the last day Hungary, Portugal and Russia claimed the titles in the men’s division, the Ukraine and Germany in the female category.

Hungary won its second gold medal and kept in line with the great results in this championship over years. Krisztian Toth claimed the gold medal U90kg and regained his gold medal of 2011 in Tyumen. Last year in Prague he finished with bronze.

In the final he had a strong opponent in Aleksandar Kukolj of Serbia. Kukolj took the lead in the match by yuko and was the most offensive of the two with his taller body and strong grip.

The Serbian was fifth at the European Senior Championships in Budapest this year and won a U23 European medal in 2010, also in Samokov, perhaps not a coincidence. In 2010 Kukolj lost the final U81kg of the European Junior Championships against current European Champion U81kg Avtandil Tchrikishvili.

But Toth hit Kukolj twenty second for the end with a straight ippon, and took his second European title and showed a great respect for his opponent, a true gold medal for the 19-year old Hungarian.

Despite his excellent fifth place at the Senior World Championships in Rio this year Toth kept the highlight of the year until 17 November. The season went with ups and downs of perhaps the biggest male talent of Hungary but the end was sweet.

Russian talent Khusan Khalmurzaev had to fight for the bronze against Alexandre Iddir of France. Iddir was better than Khalmurzaev who didn’t look too focused after his loss in the semi final against Kukolj. Only in the last two minutes he gave Iddir a hard time, but the Frenchman could defend his lead and bronze medal and fourth medal for France.

Italian Giuliano Loporchio won the bronze medal against Jakub Zarzeczny (POL) just a minute for the end of the match with a direct ippon. Although Zarzeczny thought he took over the throw it was the Italian who could raise his hands. It’s the fifth medal for Italy and four for the men, which is remarkable after some disappointing results this year in the senior events. Hope for Italy’s men.