Anastasiya Turchyn takes European title U78kg

The European U23 title for women U78 was reserved for Anastasiya Turchyn of the Ukraine. Turchyn stays in line with her stable career in the road to the top in this category. Turchyn scored a yuko after one-and-half minute in the final and added a second one. Her third point (waza-ari) gave a definite lead and the European title.

Turchyn won her second European final. Her career started off at the Cadet European Championships in 2011 when she won the European title O70kg, followed by hopeful fifth places at the U20 and U23 Championships. Last year in Prague she lost her bronze final but today she had enough experience to win her last match of the day.

The road to gold went via victories against Gergana Popova (BUL), Urska Gracner (SLO) and Guusje Steenhuis (NED) in the semi.

This year Turchyn only tasted the sweet of gold in her own country, in Kiev during the Junior European Cup.

Another strong Ukraine woman in this category where Anastasia Matrosova and Maryna Pryshchepa booked so many successes.

Bulgaria could win another medal this event but Dutch Guusje Steenhuis prevent this massive success for the host nation. Steenhuis captured the first Dutch medal of the tournament. In a tough equal fight both judoka left their last energy for the last minute where the decision had to be made. Twenty second for the end Dzhurova received her second penalty and Steenhuis won bronze.

Steenhuis defeated Ivana Marinic in the first round by ippon but Maranic recovered of this loss and came back in the repechage with a victory over Urska Gracner and won the bronze as her opponent Laia Talarn was not able to fight for the bronze due to an injury she sustained in the semi final against Tillmans.