POSITIVE FEEDBACKS AHEAD OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Winner of the -63kg category, Agata OZDOBA (POL): “This gold medal is very important for me because it is my first medal at a European Open so I am very proud and I think it is also good sign before the World Championships. I think it is not too early peak because I am strong and I will be stronger for the World Championships.” – Kostadin Andonov

Maria SIDEROT (POR): “Today is the best results up to date for me; and just like for most of us, this was my last event before the World Championships, where as a first-year senior I want to try my best. I know it will be hard but I will try my best.” – Kostadin Andonov

Winner of the -60kg category, Bekir OZLU (TUR): “I picked up a little knee injury during the semi-final but I am good and I am happy with my performance today. Now, I will have to take care of my knee and be ready for the World Championships because I want to win gold.” – Kostadin Andonov

Winner of the -52kg category, Darya SKRYPNIK (BLR): “I am very happy to win today, especially because I am at home. I am also satisfied with my overall performance today but I must say it was not the hardest day. I also must keep the focus on for the World Championships and today was a good event before that.” – Kostadin Andonov

Winner of the -66kg category, Nijat SHIKALIZADA (AZE): “It was a good preparation for the Worlds but I am not happy with my performance, it was average. I want to win a World medal and for that I will need much more than today. We will do the training camp here next week and after that we will finish the final preparation at home.” – Kostadin Andonov

Winner of the -57kg category, Telma MONTEIRO (POR): “I am really happy with my performance today because after Rio I stopped and I had a shoulder injury. I only started training two months ago so I am happy it was a good day and I think the competition had a good level too. Of course, it was a competition to come back and to use it as a training too and I had fun so I am glad. I really enjoyed it today because like I said I was out for 11 months. I haven’t decided yet about the World Championships but I think I will be there to enjoy judo and to try to get onto the podium again.” – Kostadin Andonov

Winner of the -73kg category, Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE): “During the first fight I am always looking a little bit tired and usually I wake up after. This was a test for me before the World Championships. Me, as well as my coach, are happy but there is one problem he wants to solve, which is me not being off focus during the first minute of every contests. We will solve this problem for the World Championships.” – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -48 kg1. SIDEROT, Maria (POR) 2. NIKOLIC, Milica (SRB) 3. DIOGO, Joana (POR) 3. KOMOVA, Nataliya (RUS) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -52 kg1. SKRYPNIK, Darya (BLR) 2. FLORIAN, Alexandra-Larisa (ROU) 3. PERENC, Agata (POL) 3. TSCHOPP, Evelyne (SUI) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -57 kg1. MONTEIRO, Telma (POR) 2. CAGGIANO, Giulia (ITA) 3. BOROWSKA, Anna (POL) 3. KONKINA, Anastasiia (RUS) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -63 kg1. OZDOBA, Agata (POL) 2. SHEMESH, Inbal (ISR) 3. HERMANSSON, Mia (SWE) 3. KAZANOI, Daniela (BLR) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -60 kg 1. OZLU, Bekir (TUR) 2. GOMIS, Joaquin (ESP) 3. BEN DAVID, Daniel (ISR) 3. TSJAKADOEA, Tornike (NED) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -66 kg 1. SHIKHALIZADA, Nijat (AZE) 2. TE, Artur (KGZ) 3. GRIGORYAN, Aram (RUS) 3. MINKOU, Dzmitry (BLR) – Kostadin Andonov

Podium -73 kg 1. HEYDAROV, Hidayat (AZE) 2. BABGOEV, Oleg (RUS) 3. JEZEK, Jaromir (CZE) 3. KARAPETIAN, Ferdinand (ARM) – Kostadin Andonov