Concluding the Tallinn European Open 2024 were the remaining weight categories; -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg and +100kg.
Unfortunately there was no -81kg final due an injury picked up by Fabrycjusz TARKOWSKI (POL) and so the win went to Vladimir STARK of Germany. All day we missed out on the -48kg women as there were only two entries in the weight category; Giulia GHIGLIONE (ITA) and Manon URDIALES (FRA). The pair went in to golden score, perhaps getting a little more than they bargained for with only one contest on offer, but it was Urdiales who took the win in extra time, holding Ghiglione on the ground for 10 seconds, enough for the gold medal.
There has been a great deal of success in ne waza for the athletes on day two, and it was continued in to the final of the -90kg men, both Mark VAN DIJK (NED) and Johann LENZ (GER) looked strong today but it was the latter who worked his way in to the osae komi half way through the contest. This is the first continental open win for Lenz, and a second gold for Germany out of a potential six.
Annika WURFEL was next up to try and add a gold to Germany’s loot, and standing in her way was Martina CASTAGNOLA (ITA). The -52kg women went in to golden score and after five minutes of fighting, neither had picked up a shido, demonstrating a positive contest, and at this moment, Castagnola found her way in to a strong ne waza position and managed to apply the shime waza for the gold medal win.
A third gold medal on day two – six overall – for Germany, was earned by Tim SCHMIDT (GER) who faced Silvan BULTHUIS (NED). Schmidt was applying the pressure, felt by Bulthuis, who was attacking with harai goshi, but the movements were too stagnant and anticipated by his opponent that he was countered with an over roll, on not one, but two occasions. After this, the wins kept coming, and in the -57kg category, Jana ZIEGLER (GER) was victorious over Pleuni CORNELISSE (NED). Throughout the day Cornelisse had dominated and showed her hand with a strong sasae tsuri komi ashi, but knowing what was coming, Ziegler countered the attempt made by the Dutch athlete with te waza and transitioned directly in to the osae komi. Seven gold medals for Germany!
Of course the final was greatly anticipated by the home crowd, as yesterday, they found success in the women’s heavyweight category with cadet athlete, Emma-Melis AKTAS, they looked to Karl PRIILINN TURK in the +100kg for another home gold. It was never going to be an easy ride against Jonas SCHREIBER (GER) however, who was wanting to add another gold to Team Germany’s medal tally! There were a few close calls but in the end, Schreiber dashed the dreams of the hosts by applying the shime waza and winning the final and eighth gold medal for his team.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen