Author: Erika Zucchiatti
The first day of the EJU Cadet Cup in Follonica ended and four nations split the eight gold medals.
Queen of the day was France, who conquered four categories: -60kg, -66kg, -40kg and -52kg. A real top performance from French athletes who also took three silvers and four bronzes, for a total of 11 medals.
Clelia DA COSTA took the first gold in -40kg, as she overcame the host Aurora FERRO in the final. Six victories, on the other hand, were achieved by the other young French judokas: Eilys BERRIOT in the -52kg category scored an ippon in the final against compatriot Isciane DYE, Zachary COLIN in the -60kg category ultimately triumphed with a double waza ari over Norwegian Nino GUBBERUD, and Baptiste DE ARAUJO in the -66kg category overcame Croatian Roko ROZGA with an ippon in osae komi.
But if France was the main course of the day, many people had their eyes focused on Mongolia, at it was their first participation in this tournament. The Mongolian athletes were on a path of a high judo level and took two first places with BATBILEG Bat-Enerel in -55kg and JAMSRAN Anudari in -48kg.
Only one victory for the host Italy, with Rachele MORUZZI (-44kg) continuing her positive streak of results after securing two gold medals and one silver in the European Cups held in Berlin, Koper, and Gyor last autumn.
And the last gold medal went to Bulgaria with the great performance of Ivo GALENKOV (-50kg), who achieved five consecutive victories, including four by ippon.
Author: EJU Media