Following her semi final performance agaisnt a strong opponent, we were ready for a repeat from Jolina REINHOLD (GER) who scored yuko in the first exchange against Hanna BABULFATH (SWE) in the -57kg final. Securing the top place was some sublimely timed te waza and evidence that Reinhold was a strong winner today.
After an incredible morning, it was a tough semi final loss for Enise ZIJADE (KOS), however she came out all guys blazing in her bronze medal contest and threw Anita COMBA (ITA) with a beautiful uchi mata to win her EYOF medal. On the adjoining tatami, Julia SIEMKO (POL) put in a top class performance against Sofia PEKKI (FIN) to take the second bronze, a drop seoi nage being the key to success.
The current -73kg Cadet European Champion, Veljko VARNICIC (SRB) had given a champions performance throughout the day, but so had Cadet bronze medallist, Vasil GAMEZARDASHVILI (GEO). The Georgian judoka was doing a stellar job at controlling the grips, preventing Varnicic from leading the contest as he had done prior, yet still with a minute left on the clock, there were no scores and both ceded two shidos. With six seconds left on the clock, Varnicic managed a yuko score, stretching across his opponent with for uchi mata before dropping to his knee and driving, pulling in the opposite arm to ensure the shoulder turned.
Alexandr ALEINIKOV (BOC) initiated yoko guruma, but Mahammad AGHAKISHIYE (AZE) managed to hook in his foot to control the technique and score waza ari in golden score to take the first bronze, and moments later, the clock ticked away in normal time for Tigran SARUKHANYAN (ARM) who had only just scored waza ari with ura nage, leaving no time for Ahmed-Adam HAMDAOUI (FRA) to make a comeback. He was then forced to wait while Sarakhanyan given medical attention with only a few seconds left.
It was a strong start for both Ilariia TSURKAN (UKR) and Rumeysa Hatice KILICKAYA (TUR) in the -63kg final, but at exactly one minute in to the contest, Tsurkan found the way to a juji gatame win for the EYOF 2025 title!
Nina ANDRIC (SRB) wasted little time agaisnt Mai YERMIAHU (ISR), scoring yuko with uchi mata sukashi in the opening 30 seconds and this score was enough to ensure her place on the podium. Ingrid KOMODOWSKI (DEN) countered an o uchi gari attempt from Paula MATUSZEKOVA (SVK), scoring waza ari and continued to work in ne waza but to no avail. Komodowski took Denmark’s third medal in the EYOF, and first in the judo event.
Tajus BABAICENKO (LTU) had a very tough match against Mykhailo SOLIANYK (UKR) in the -81kg final, back and forth with great attacks but unable to find the scoring landing. After an already tiring day, the pair had to dig deep as they started in to golden score. After a minute and a half of an even contest, it was a fast twitch ko uchi gari from Babaicenko that scored a close yuko. It was so close that Babaicenko didn’t believe it to be a score and refrained from any celebration. However after a quick check, it was confirmed to be a win for the Lithuanian who was then overcome with joy, making up for his disappointment in the Cadet European Championships one month ago.
The bronze medal contests turned out to be an interesting watch, as both finished at almost the same time, in almost exactly the same way! Giorgi MUMLADZE (GEO) was first, adjusting his grip to throw with uchi mata, scoring waza ari and transitioned in to osaekomi, defeating Aleks KRIVEC (SLO). On the next tatami, Konstantin DISTEL (GER) initiated the movement with o uchi gari but it was necessary to change direction and he threw with a very low uchi mata, which led him to work in ne waza in order to take the win against Aleksei KIKAS (EST).
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen