Sappho Coban first World Junior gold for Germany

No one could stop Sappho Coban at day two in the category U52kg for young women. The German was the benchmark and left the rest with the silverwork, bronze or empty hands. She defeated her five opponent in an impressive way and not the least in European Champion Odette Giuffrida (Italy) and an impressive victory over Shira Hayat (ISR) in the semi.

The final though was the toughest against Jessica Pereira of Brazil. She took the lead in the match but Coban came back with a yuko too in the last minute and tried to defeat Pereira with her outstanding groundwork. Due to the penalty it was Coban who took Germany’s first ever World Junior title.

The bronze was after all for Alexandra Florian of Romania who captured the third medal for her nation. She defeated Julia Rosso (FRA) but lost to Karolina Pienkowska (POL) in the quarter final. In the repechage she fought back against Ai Shishime and Shira Hayat. Odette Giuffrida was able to beat Karolina Pienkowska for bronze, 18 seconds before the end she made the difference although she was dominant the whole fight. Sad for some strong European women who all deserved a medal but the competition in this category was unbelievable.

The gold medal from the hands of Olympic Champion Urska Zolnir was an additional icing on the cake.