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Author: Portuguese Judo Federation
Today we all celebrate the International Women’s Day, so the first spotlight of Portimão European Judo Junior Cup goes to Lenka TOMANKOVA from Slovakia. The 2022 World Cadet bronze medallist, sister of another great young woman, the twice Cadet World Champion Patricia, went straight to the golden top as she won by ippon against all her opponents! First the brilliant Spanish Claudia MORALES, the brave Italian Aurelia VENDITTO, the strong Spanish Olena HREBENIK, and finally the unique Spanish Lucia CARPIO, in just 11 seconds!
The first fight was a bit difficult and I was really tired after it, but I got more comfortable and more focused and I feel the three next matches were way more better. And I am really happy I won that way (laughs) that quickly.
Asked about the International Women’s Day and the importance of judo in her daily life, Tomankova confirmed that it boosts her confidence and for her is an empowering force. Now the goal for this season is a medal in the Junior European Championships (that will be hosted in Slovakia) and World Championships. To achieve that, Tomankova shared the family secret as both sisters boost each other’s motivation with their medals.
But we can also point the spotlight to the 2022 Vice World Cadet Champion, the Italian Serena ONDEI. In the -70kg category she started this special day winning against the confident Spanish Nuria SANCHEZ, in the semi-final she won against her compatriot, the energetic Sara VIRGILIO, and the gold was conquered against the resistant Italian Serena MADDALONI after a very nice ne waza transition, from uki-gatame into juji-gatame.
At the +78kg category the French Leonie MINKADA-CAQUINEAU, last years World Cadet silver medallist, took the gold against the special Spanish Alejandra MARIN, after winning the fight with the courageous Kazakhstan athlete, Aiymzada DUMANKYZY.
As today is a special day, Unai PEÑAS, son of the Spanish judo legend Oscar PEÑAS, won his first gold medal at a European Cup, in the same category as his father won the ’99 European title, the -60kg category!
At -66kg category, the Portuguese Tomás FONSECA did not take the spotlight from the ladies, he went to the final with great throws but the Italian Federico NINFO made his show! What a performance! Can you imagine combining a tomoe-nage with an eri-seio-nage?!?! It seems it was his gift to all women judo lovers present in the Portimão Arena!
Ninfo revealed that he exceeded his own expectations, and the most difficult part was the semi final,
Today I didn’t expect a day like this, since I had a pain in my hand. It is my first competition this year, it was overall fine and I still need to work on some details. Gabriele AUDISIO and I train together everyday, my dream was to face him in the final to get our medals together.
Ninfo admits the importance of this gold medal and asked about his best memory, answered with an interesting lesson,
I haven’t get a gold one for a long time and this result today pushes me to do much more. I’ll take with me a lesson and not a memory: even if I have several pains or problem on competition day, it does not matter because I’m still I valid and I can win my competition anyway… I’m not that pain.
One thing is sure for Ninfo, although he does not know what will be the next competitions, it is important to go on enjoying with the serenity that he had today, in all the other competitions. About this special Women’s Day, he was,
glad that the medal arrived on such an important day because I can dedicate it to the women in my life, in particular my sister and my mother who are fundamental to me.
We do not know if all these precious judo moments were due to this so special day, but the expectations for tomorrow are very high.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen