27 June 2009

Russian talent overflows Europe

Russian talent overflows Europe

Another two medals on Saturday for Russia, making a total of 7 gold medals. Russia won all male weight categories so far after two days of judo in Koper at the European cadet Championships.

Today not surprisingly Arbi Khamkoev (RUS) won his category U66kg. He beat Jalil Jalilov (AZE). Khamkoev had won all possible tournaments and was the first judoka to prolong his title of last year in Sarajevo. What can we expect of this young man in the future?

Greek Alexios Ntanatsidis couldn’t prolong his title and finished third U73kg. Khasan Khalmurzaev (RUS) defeated home favourite Tadej Mulec (SLO) who won previous Top cadet Tournaments this year, just like Khalmurzaev.

In the women’s category, three non-Russian medals. Nataliia Ilkiv (UKR) beat German’s Alexandra Zwirner U52kg, Germany’s third lost final this tournament, all women. It also means that Germany has a lot of talent we can expect to break through soon.

Margaux Pinot (FRA) became the successor of Clarisse Agbegnenou who won the only French gold medal last year, also U57kg. Daniela Kazanoi (BLR) lost to the French Champion.

Renalda Gedutyte (LTU) peaked to her European title. In the pre-season she won silver and bronze at Cadet championships, but now was the victorious winner U57kg. Khanim Huseynova (AZE) reached one step higher than last year, but wasn’t too happy after all with her silver medal. A second silver for Azerbaijan at the second day.

Russia has never won so many medals at the U17 Europeans after just 11 events.
2000 5 of 16 gold medals
2002 6/16 gold medals
2003 1/16 gold medals
2004 2/16 gold medals
2005 4/16 gold medals
2006 7/16 gold medals
2007 4/16 gold medals
2008 4/16 gold medals
2009 7/11 gold medals after day 2.

Judoka