The draw for the -73 kg category at the Portimão Senior European Cup 2024 sparked excitement with the inclusion of Jack Yonezuka, a prominent judoka from the United States, whose previous success in Portugal saw him claim silver at the 2023 junior world championships in Odivelas.
Right from the start, Yonezuka made it clear that he was in top form, securing a commanding victory in his opening contest against Saba Danelia from Portugal, who was no match for the American’s skill in ne-waza as Yonezuka delivered a flawless submission to advance to the next round. Facing Norway’s Yoan Tutunarov, Yonezuka’s mastery of ne-waza once again became a decisive factor. Despite Tutunarov’s awareness of Yonezuka’s ground game prowess and his efforts to avoid it, he was eventually penalised with a third shido, leading to the American’s victory.
As the sun brightened the Portimão Arena, the heat inside intensified during Yonezuka’s semi-final match against Daniel Pacitti of Great Britain. The bout captivated the crowd, with Yonezuka managing to capitalise on a moment when he was pushed towards the edge of the mat. The American executed a perfectly timed seoi-nage, landing Pacitti for Ippon and securing his spot in the final.
Before his final showdown, Yonezuka drew inspiration from his teammates, Sara Golden and Isabella Garriga, who each won bronze in their respective categories. The display of teamwork and success clearly added fuel to his determination. In the final, Yonezuka faced Cameron Charles, another British judoka. However, Charles could not derail Yonezuka’s momentum. In a swift display of technical superiority, the American applied a precise ne-waza technique, ending the contest in just over two minutes and claiming the gold medal.
Still, Yonezuka wasn’t the only judoka who dazzled the audience with his mastery of groundwork. Portuguese judoka Bernardo Tralhão Fernandes made waves throughout the day with his own brilliant ne-waza skills. Aptly described as a “ne-waza killer,” Fernandes displayed impeccable control and finesse, leaving none of his opponents able to defend against his submissions.
Day one of the Portimão Senior European Cup delivered an unforgettable spectacle of skill, precision, and beauty, blending the fierce competitiveness inside the arena with the warm, sunny ambiance outside. It was a day where technique and grace came together to create something truly special. By the end of the day, Portugal led the medal table, adding to the excitement for day two.
All eyes will now turn to Catarina Costa, Portugal’s Olympic hero, who will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of Paris 2024 and make her mark on home soil, this time, in the -52kg category. The competition promises to continue delivering memorable moments, and if day one is any indication, we can expect more thrilling judo performances under the Algarve sun.
Text and Images: Miguel Galhardas
Author: Szandra Szogedi