On day three of the Cadet World Judo Championships 2024, we will see the -57kg, -63kg, -73kg and -81kg categories battle it out for the gold medal in Lima, Peru.
Cadet European bronze medallist, Manon AGATI-ALOUACHE (FRA) is claiming the top seeded position in the -57kg category, with a notable absence from the current European Champion, Maya TOSZEGI (GER). Nevertheless, silver medallist, Aleksandra SHESTEPALOVA (IJF) will be an early problem for one of the top eight as she sits outside of the seeding positions. It will be an entirely new World podium in 2024, and the seeds looking for the top place from Europe are Emilia BIELAWSKA (POL), Italian duo Giulia SORELLI and Martina CAPEZZUTO, as well as Jolina REINHOLD (GER). This category also sees an influx from Team Mongolia who resides in two leading spots.
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In Sofia, Bulgaria, there was a special story for the leading man, Bogdan VELICKOVIC (SRB) who almost didn’t compete due to the loss of a family member. Instead he was encouraged by his family and stepped on the tatami, dedicating his triumph to his late grandfather. Once again he is leading the -73kg category, but now with more experience and more opponents, his fifth place finish in the 2023 World Championships is behind him and the goal is gold. Chasing down Velickovic is world ranked #2 and #5, Anthony FARNOT and Heinrich HANADA of the USA, as are Noah BOUE (FRA) and the 2023 silver medallist, Tsotne BAKHTADZE (GEO). Aleksandrs AVDEJVS (LAT) landed his first major medal in Sofia, a very well deserved bronze, which has elevated his position, and then there is silver medallist, Timur DAVIDOV (IJF) who claimed the European silver who has missed out by only one seeding place, similarly, European bronze medallist Jasur IBADLI (AZE) finds himself in place #10.
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For the -63kg category, there was immediate heartbreak for the leading contender, Sinem ORUC (TUR), defeated by eventual champion, Amelia PTASINSKA (POL). Arguably it was the same for Poland’s other representative, Hanna ZAITSEVA who missed out on the bronze medal. In 2023, Europe were unable to claim a single medal in this category, however with the rise of athletes including WRL #3 Lucia CARPIO FERNANDEZ (ESP), Emma BENGHEZAL (FRA), Sophia MATSIRIDI (GRE) and Maila PAGLIARO (ITA), it looks to be a better year. Outside of the top eight, we can also see strength from European finalist, Viktoriia MARTYNENKO (IJF) too.
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The -81kg category will make for an exciting watch, the full European Championship podium has reserved places in top eight; Konstantin DISTEL (GER/WRL #1), Kenzo CREMERS (BEL/WRL #3), Mykhailo SOLIANYK (UKR/WRL #5) and current Champion, Abu-Bakr KANTAEV (IJF/WRL #9). Europe can also boast of two extra athletes in seeding places; Ali GAZIMAMMADOV (AZE) and Derek MARCZAK (POL).
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The final block on all days of individual competition will commence at 16:00 local time, 23:00 CEST. The online draw will take place on the 27th of August at 14:00 local time / 21:00 CEST.
Author: Thea Cowen