CADET EUROPEANS 2017 - ATHLETES' PROFILE

Name: Sophio SOMKHISHVILI (GEO) Age: 17-year-old Club: Tbilisi national training centre Region: Tbilisi, Georgia Grade: 1st Dan Started judo: 10-year-old Weight category: +70kg Latest results: Cadet European Cup Teplice 2017 3rd place Cadet European Championships 2016 Vantaa 2nd place – Sören Starke

“I think my preparation was very-very good and I feel great. I am looking forward to compete in Kaunas. I am aiming to win both this year, the Cadet Europeans and Worlds. In Europe, I think I don’t have any real difficult opponent, of course it will depend on the day; however, for the Worlds I need to watch out for the Japanese opponent.” – Sören Starke

Name: Mariam TCHANTURIA (GEO) Age: 17-year-old Club: Tbilisi national training centre Region: Tbilisi, Georgia Grade: 1st Dan Started judo: 10-year-old Weight category: -63kg Latest results: Cadet European Cup Teplice 2017 1st place Cadet European Cup Antalya 3rd place Cadet European Championships 2015 Sofia 3rd place – Sören Starke

“I feel good for Kaunas. I am certainly aiming and wanting to become Cadet European Champion this year, although I know it won’t be easy. I have one opponent who I think I will need to be extremely focused and that is Anja Obradovic of Serbia. We are not only motivated for our individual achievements but also aiming to make history by winning the first female Georgian Team European Championships medal.” – Sören Starke

Name: Helena VUKOVIC (CRO) Age: 16-year-old Club: Judo Klub Profectus Samobor Region: Zagreb, Croatia Grade: 1st Dan Started judo: 6-year-old Weight category: +70kg Latest results: Cadet European Cup 2017 Zagreb 1st place Cadet European Cup 2017 Fuengirola 1st place Cadet European Cup 2017 Follonica 1st place Cadet European Championships 2016 Vantaa 3rd place – Sören Starke

“I have no pressure at all for Kaunas, all we are aiming for is to do good fights and to do well, at my very best. Exactly the same for the Cadet Worlds later on this year.” – Sören Starke

Name: Kazbek NAGUCHEV (RUS) Age: 17-yar-old Club: City Judo Club Tuapse Region: Krasnodar Krai, Russia Grade: 1st Kyu Started judo: 6-year-old Weight category: -60kg Latest results: Cadet European Cup 2017 Berlin 1st place Cadet European Cup 2017 Tula 1st place Cadet European Cup 2017 Follonica 1st place Cadet European Championships 2016 Vantaa 3rd place Cadet World Championships Sarajevo 2015 3rd place – Sören Starke

“I won bronze last year at the Cadet Europeans and for this year I don’t accept less than the gold from myself. I am very determined and not only want to win the Europeans but also the World Championships. For my most dangerous opponent, I would say it is Aliyev Ibrahim of Azerbaijan.” – Sören Starke

Name: Glafira BORISOVA (RUS) Age: 15-year-old Club: City Judo Club Balakovo Region: Saratov Oblast, Russia Grade: 1st Kyu Started judo: 9-year-old Weight category:-40kg Latest results: Cadet European Cup 2017 Bielsko Biala 2nd place Cadet European Cup 2017 Tula 1st place Cadet European Cup 2017 Follonica 1st place – Sören Starke

Cadet girls head coach, Irina Rodina (left):“Glafira trains very hard and she always wants to work more, she does everything what she needs to in order to win; which she can certainly do in Kaunas, however, even winning a medal will be a big stepping stone for her.” – Sören Starke

Hopeful talent – Glafira BORISOVA – Sören Starke