Croatia seems to suit her: Renata ZACHOVA (CZE/-63) became European Junior Champion in Porec in 2020. Now, four years later, the 23-year-old Czech, ranked just 22nd in the world, has been crowned surprise European champion.
“I never thought, that I would be here today and win gold. I just knew that I was in good shape. We last trained in Tata and my coach just said: ‘Make sure you show your usual judo. Just like last time in Tata…”
On her way to the final, Renata Zachova eliminated Alessia Corrao (BEL), Magdalena Krssakova (AUT), Savita Russo (ITA) and defending champion Andreja Leski (SLO). “It felt like the first fight was the hardest for me. Alessia and I know each other very well and have often trained together.” With a net fight time of 4:10 minutes, the first-round duel was also the longest fight of the day. In the end, Corrao was disqualified with the 3rd shido.
Shooting star Joanne Van Lieshout (NED) was the clear favourite in the final and the Dutchwoman, who has already stood on the podium three times this year, including winning the GP in Linz, promptly took the lead with a waza-ari after a morote-seoi-nage. “I said to myself: you’re going to lose anyway, try your best. Risk everything.” A few moments later, Renata Zachova went for a sode-tsurikomi-goshi and was lucky. The ippon was awarded, securing her the surprise European Championship title. “It’s unbelievable that I’m now European champion and the first female Czech judoka to achieve this.”
How the newly crowned European champion will spend tomorrow, Saturday, has already been decided. “We go straight home, that I will be ready for the Grand Slam in Dushanbe (TJK).”
Author: EJU Media