Three nations won a gold medal today at the first World Cup of this year for women in Sofia. Germany however dominated the women’s U57kg category today taking three medals including a German final, won by Miryam Roper. She prolonged last year’s title in Sofia and collected her second every World Cup victory ever. Mimi likes Sofia and Sofia likes Roper.
In the final she defeated her compatriot Viola Waechter for gold finishing with ippon. Marlen Hein completed the German success taking a bronze medal. Last year Germany won 6 medals in total. In 2007 and 2008 even eight medals.
Irina Zabludina (RUS) won the second bronze medal defeating Dutch Sanne Verhagen. Russia won 7 medals last year, so more to expect on Sunday.
Laetitia Payet from France won a gold medal U48kg after she was victorious over Korean Jung-Yeon Chung. Two Russians won bronze: Liudmila Bogdanova and Natalia Kondratieva. Both Lisa Kearney and Roni Schwartz lost their bouts.
Chinese He Hongmei won the category U52kg. It was an Asian final against Korean Mi-Ri Kim. It was the first ever victory for China in Sofia since 1990. China competed for the first time in Bulgaria since 1999.
Natalia Kuzyutina (RUS) and Jaana Sundberg (FIN) won bronze. For Sundberg it was her 8th medal. Russia collected four medals in total but none of them ended in the final.
review all results and photos here:
Judoka
Author: Sören Starke