This week the European elite will be in Hamburg to measure strength at the European Cup. It’s the last chance to get an idea of their shape in advance of the World Championships in Paris in August.
More than 300 participants of over 30 nations from Europe, Asia and Africa have inscribed. Some top athletes will also featuring the tatami such as Ole Bischof (GER), Craig Fallon (GBR), Telma Monteiro (POR), Karina Bryant (GBR) and Anett Meszaros (HUN).
Germany will obviously send their top team to the German Open including favourites Heide Wollert and Claudia Malzahn.
Interesting weight class for the German home crowd will be the U81kg category where Ole Bischof and Sven Maresch will show their skills. Both are candidates for qualifying for the Olympic Games next year, for only one spot. Both fighters will appear at the Worlds this year where two participants per nations are invited.
For DJB president Peter Frese is Hamburg a good test: “Our athletes use Hamburg as a last test for the World Championships and our coaches want to see if their athletes are on the right track and if with need to adjust small things for the World Championships team.”
Hamburg hosts the European Cup for the second time. Düsseldorf hosts the IJF Grand Prix. After the European Cup a training camp of four days is scheduled for the participants.
Follow the matches this weekend live at:
http://www.spobox.tv
Live results can be found from this weekend:
