The judoka of Russia won 9 medals, one of each color and stand as serious contenders for winning first place in this year’s event. Azerbaijan won three gold medals, two silver and two bronze. While France had three gold and four bronze. The Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria and the host nation Slovenia celebrated one gold medal during the Junior European Judo Championships 2017.
Gold Medallist -63 kg: VERMEER, Sanne (NED) “I am very happy, I was very nervous today, but now I am so happy. You can win and lose in just a second and for me I was mostly nervous because I want to do everything I can to win. I was also nervous about losing, but more nervous about not giving everything.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -70 kg: TAIMAZOVA, Madina (RUS) “I wanted to have the gold medal, but it was difficult to expect to win. The most important and difficult part was to believe in myself. I can say for sure, this gold medal would be not be impossible the support from my trainer who supported me everywhere, both morally, physically and in all possible ways.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -78 kg: APOTEKAR, Klara (SLO) “I didn’t feel any pressure today, I actually enjoyed competing at home. My family and friends were here to watch and supporting me, as they don’t get the opportunity when we compete abroad. I didn’t find any problems throughout the competition until the final. This was probably because I was a bit tired and I injured my knee earlier, so I had some pain, I did my best. I didn’t put any pressure on myself for my last junior year, I just said “Go fight and do your best and you will see what will be.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist +78 kg: DICKO, Romane (FRA) “I wanted to win the gold medal today, and thats what I did. I didn’t feel I had any real problems today in any of my fights. At the moment I don’t feel any pressure from my federation to perform. Although I had a good experience at the World Championship Team event, I feel the women in my category know I am strong but I don’t have to let pressure get to me as I am still only 17.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -81 kg: GRAMKOW, Tim (GER) “It was my big dream to win the gold medal. It is my last year in the juniors and I won only a silver at the championships last year in Malaga. I really wanted to have this gold medal today. I fought only one guy in my category before.today. I like this because when I don’t know have any previous knowledge on my opponents, I am more focused nd they also don’t know me very well. The Koshi-guruma was already in my head and I said to myself, lets try and it was successful.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -90 kg: DIESSE, Aurelien (FRA) “Last year I won a bronze medal at this event, it is very interesting to get a medal but not the best. So I come here this year to win the gold. It is my last year as a junior and I will now do my best to go the the Junior World Championships to win the title before I move up to the senior level.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -100 kg: KOTSOIEV, Zelym (AZE) “I was well prepared for this competition and I am very happy that the plan worked. I had already meet ADAMIAN at the World Universade Championships and I had a clear strategy against him. Maybe this was the key to my success. All fights were difficult today. I did not feel really good, but I knew that my preparation was good and this why I could give my best.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist +100 kg: TASOEV, Inal (RUS) “I cant express in words how I feel about my success today. My preparation for this event was very long and hard, so I can say I am very happy. My most difficult fight today was the semi-final against Jur SPIJKERS. I had lost our previous fight, so I really wanted to win and take revenge for this. Prior to the final, my only thought was “Silver is not an option, I have worked to long and hard for that”.” – Carlos Ferreira
