Day two of the Prague European Open 2024 gave the home crowd cause for celebration with Radomir MUSIL (-90kg) and David DUDY (-100kg) fighting for bronze medals. A special Many nations have fought their way to the final block, and an extra special one is an international entry in the -81kg category, Keagan YOUNG (CAN).
Given the typical strength of Georgian athletes it was shaping up to be a good semi final between Young and Irakli BEROSHVILI (GEO), however the Canadian was prepared for his opponents style and took advantage of a sumi gaeshi attempt, forcing his way on top and securing the osaekomi for a place in his first European Open final. On the other half of the draw, Mo VAN DUN (NED) defeated TOTH Botond (HUN) for his place in the -81kg final, after initiating an uchi mata attack, Toth attempted to counter, however Van Dun changed direction to instead throw with o uchi gari, scoring a contest-winning waza ari.
The French women were on fire on day two, in fact, we have ended up with an all-Gilly final in the -48kg category. First to take her place in an attempt for gold was Coralie GILLY, who succeeded quickly over Sarah ISCHT (GER), a sumi gaeshi in the opening seconds put the first score on the board, and she repeated the action in next exchange for the win. Marine GILLY had a tougher job against Jana CID BALCELLS (ESP), and this contest ended in shido accumulations. The pair have fought once before on the EJU Tour, for the Madrid European Open bronze medal, where the elder of the two, Marine, succeeded. At least on this occasion, both will leave the event with a medal.
It’ll be an all-Dutch final in the -90kg category, Jesper SMINK (NED) had a tough run against the home favourite, Musil, and as they entered golden score he executed a seamless sasae tsuri komi ashi for the win. In an opposing style, Ian VAN HERK (NED) went in for the close contact contest, and managed to best Max LABORDE (FRA) on two occasions, after finding his strong grips in a clinch, threw with ko soto.
There was a chance for another all-French head to head in the -52kg as Lea METROT defeated Yarden RAAB (ISR) with a huge maki komi technique in the first half of the semi final, however Lea BERES of France was stumped in the next semi. Beres simply couldnt keep the pace of Tatum KEEN (GBR), who continued with an onslaught of attack, nearing a score on a few occasions, however it was a third shido for Beres that ended the contest.
In the -100kg category, there is potential for further celebration in the Netherlands camp as Lars VISSERS managed a win over Gal BERTALANIC ZIZEK (SLO), firstly with a swift ko uchi – ko soto combination, and a devastating maki komi to secure his final place. Waiting on the other side will be Cedric OLIVAR (FRA) who continued the trend, defeating Benjamin MATASEJE (SVK) with a huge harai maki komi.
Shannon VAN DE MEEBERG (NED) attempted an ura nage attack against Ophelie VELLOZZI (FRA), in order to counter the top seed of the -57kg category, however Vellozzi was prepared for such an occasion and switched direction to make the score her own. Not long after, Vellozzi held fast to her ranking position, throwing again for waza ari with sumi gaeshi. Next up were Lou LEMIRE (FRA) and Laura KALLINGER (AUT). After seven minutes of competition, the pair had accepted two shidos each, but it was Lemire who dug deep, and with two hands on the right lapel, threw with drop seoi nage scoring waza ari.
In the +100kg category, top seed from Azerbaijan, WRL #30, Dzhamal GAMZATKHANOV struggled in his semi final against Marvin BELZ (GER), with both athletes picking up two shidos in the first half of the contest. Eventually, Gamzatkhanov managed to counter a ko uchi gari attempt from Belz which sealed his place in the final. Meeting the top seed will be three-time World bronze medallist, Yakiv KHAMMO (UKR), who had a clear edge over his opponent, Patrick BRONIEC (POL), perhaps thanks to the tremendous experience under his belt. Khammo took a strong stance and set up to throw with sumi gaeshi for his first score, then in line with his style, finished off with a huge wheeling ippon seoi nage, using momentum to pull his opponent on to his back.
Author: Thea Cowen