World Cup Madrid Preview

For the 3rd time in the EJU history the EJU World Cup of Madrid will take place. Last year for men, in 2005 for women. Although Spain’s first team has changed since 2005 since judokas like Sara Alvarez, Vanesa Arenas and Isabel Fernandez said goodbye to international judo, Spain is still able to win medals.
Last week in Lisbon Nieva Larraya (U52) took the bronze as well as Conchi Bellorin (U57). While of course Esther San Miguel (34 years) won the European title as oldest ever female judoka, and Ana Carrascosa reached the final in Tbilisi.

At this year’s World Cup in Madrid the strongest Spanish fighters are warmed up for this weekend. But they have to compete with strong teams from Portugal, Poland, France, Belgium and The Netherlands amongst others.
Eight European medal winners have registered for this weekend’s women’s World Cup. Besides Spanish Esther San Miguel, Ana Carrascosa should compete with bronze medal winners Kitty Bravik (NED) and Ilse Heylen (BEL).

Two other neighbours may meet in the capital: Dutch Edith Bosch and Catherine Jacques (BEL) will participate U70kg.
From Poland super heavyweight Urszula Sadkowska can battle with Spanish talents Sara Alvarez Folgueira, Sara Conejero, Noelia Gonzalez and experienced Alicia Alonso.

In edition of 2008 the Spanish women were dominant with three gold medals. Fernandez U57, Iglesias U70 and current European Champion Esther San Miguel winning gold in the U78 kilogramme category. Perhaps current European U20 champion Sara Alvarez Folgueira can win her first world cup medal. Speaking of talents, 11 former European champions will take part in Lisbon, three of them from home country Portugal (Monteiro, Cachola and Freitas).

Average age is 24, thanks to 34-year young Andreia Cavalleri (POR) and Esther San Miguel who contribute to the average age. Luckily balanced with a lot of talents from countries mentioned earlier like two Dutch U23 European champions Anicka van Emden (U63) and Linda Bolder (U70) and three U20 European champions; Marta Kuban (POL U52), Antoinette Hennink (NED U63) and Sara Alvarez Folgueira (O78).

The Dutch team contributes to the number of Olympic medals. Bosch (2), and Willeboordse (1) are responsible for 3 Olympic medals. Ilse Heylen (BEL) won bronze in 2004. Unfortunately Deborah Gravenstijn (2 Olympic medals) cancelled her participation due to an elbow injury.
Bosch is the only world champion present and she won the most World Cups (10) followed by Heylen (9) and San Miguel (8).


Profile Esther San Miguel (SPA)
Weight: 78kg
Age: 34

Major honours:
2009 European Champion Tbilisi
1998 European Champion Oviedo and 4 times bronze winner.
8 World Cup wins, 27 World Cup medals in total
2003 World Championships Osaka bronze medalist

Major European rivals: Maryna Pryshchepa, Anastasia Matrosova (UKR), Yahima Ramirez (POR), Sviatlana Tsimashenka (BLR), Heide Wollert (GER), Marhinde Verkerk (NED), Céline Lebrun and Stephanie Possamai (FRA).

Enjoy our live results at http://www.eju.net on Saturday and Sunday.


By Hans van Essen, EJU Media and PR Director