Demanding, but doable for Van Dijke in her quest to regain title
Top seed in the -70 kg category is Marie Eve GAHIE. The French judoka won bronze last year at the Europeans and is currently WRL #3. The last person to defeat her was Olympic Bronze medallist, Sally CONWAY (GBR). For these players to meat in the final, would not come as a surprise, but another 2017 European Bronze medallist could also join the show. Namely, Barbara MATIC (CRO), who has had some strong results this year and will be looking to add to her tally. Giovanna SCOCCIMARRO (GER) made a shockwave 12 months ago when she progressed to the final of the Continental Championships, taking the silver Warsaw. This Friday, she will begin the day as one of the unseeded athletes and will surely be watched closely by all of the top challengers. We must also move our focus to the current title holder, number 4 seed, WRL #6, Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED), who will have to deliver her best form to be able to defend her triumph. Fellow dutch, triple European Champion and World Bronze medallist, Kim POLLING (NED) is right below Van Dijke in the seeding, which can result a very challenging all Dutch quarter final. A couple of names to add to a potential podium effort are: Double World medallist, Maria BERNABEU (ESP) and IJF World Masters Bronze medallist Anna BERHOLM (SWE). The Swedish athlete has been significantly improving since she moved up a weight division. In regards to fast progressing youngsters we should also highlight 2016 European Bronze medallist, GERCSAK Szabina (HUN); double U23 European Bronze medallist, Elisavet TELTSIDOU (GRE) and 4x U23 European medallist, Aleksandra SAMARDZIC (BIH). The host nation will not have a judoka competing in this category.
Anyones chance in an open but world class -90kg field
Who would be your top choice in -90kg for the 2018 European title? World ranking leader and current European title holder, Aleksandar KUKOLJ (SRB)? He could take the title on Saturday in the Tel Aviv Convention Centre, but the trouble with some judo predictions and especially the -90 kg category is that there is no one stand out. Why? Because you just never know. There are more than a handful of top judoka in this weight division, whom at least at some point have defeated one another. Therefore, the list of potential podium finishers is as follows: 2017 European Bronze medallist and 2017 IJF World Masters Winner, Beka GVINIASHVILI (GEO); World Silver medallist and recently became father, TOTH Krisztian (HUN); Double Junior World Silver medallist and IJF World Masters Bronze medallist, Nikoloz SHERAZADASHVILI (ESP) who made a smooth transition from Junior to Senior; 2017 World Champion, Nemanja MAJDOV (SRB); European Silver medallist, Axel CLERGET (FRA); World Bronze medallist, Ushangi MARGIANI (GEO); 2016 European Bronze medallist, Piotr KUCZERA (POL). U23 European Bronze medallist, Li KOCHMAN (ISR) will carry the hopes for the the home supporters. If you expect someone to blow the crowd than drift your attention should focus on Mikhail IGOLNIKOV (RUS). Noel VAN T END (NED) has always been amongst tops golden picks, 14 x IJF World Tour medallist and former WRL #3, however, he has just not quite managed to make it onto the European Championship podium. Let’s hope that Tel-Aviv will bring him the right pass for a shining momentum.
I GUESS…
For this occasion, we were assisted by Olympic and World Bronze medallist, Annett BOEHM who was accompined with Olympic Bronze medallist , World Silver medallist and European Champion, Marko SPITTKA.
