France was first to take lead of the medal table on day one of the Prague European Open 2024, claiming the gold medal in the -63kg category. Gaetane DEBERDT of France added a fourth continental open title to her collection, defeating Agnese ZUCCO (ITA), firstly by countering a ko soto attempt and then working tirelessly in ne waza, exploring numerous options before securing the osae komi and the win. Bronze medals in the -63kg category went to Josie STEELE (GBR) and Isabelle HARRIS (CAN).
Following two long golden score bronze medal contests in the -60kg category, resulting in medals for Richard VERGNES (FRA) and Biagio D ANGELO (ITA), it was time for the final between Roie ROSEN (ISR) and Huseyn ALLAHYAROV (AZE). The latter tried his hardest to best his opponent, but Rosen seemed to have an edge, out-strengthening Allahyarov on each exchange, throwing first in 33 seconds, switching forward to back with o soto gari. The score was up for debate, but eventually the referee commission confirmed waza ari and the pair prepared again. Rosen was fuelled now and scored for a second time with o uchi gari.
The owner of a junior world bronze medal and two U23 European Championship titles finally found her way to a senior continental open gold medal today. Samira BOCK of Germany is only 21 years-old, yet found success early on and after gradually adding Senior European Cup event medals to her collection, she can now confirm she has completed the next step. She was close earlier in the year in Gyor, but settled for bronze on that occasion, yet today pure determination pulled her through. Bock had a strong start against Gioia VETTERLI (SUI), throwing with a huge harai maki komi, then with 48 seconds left on the clock, completed her mission with a waza ari-scoring o soto gari. It was a double accomplishment for France as Kaila ISSOUFI and top seed, Florine SOULA picked up the bronze medals.
MATHE Bence (HUN) came through the -66kg category, defeating the top seed in the opening round, and faced off with Rashad YELKIYEV (AZE) for the gold medal. With just over a minute left on the clock, Mathe had picked up two shidos, with Yelkiyev just one, then a critical moment, as Mathe was a little slow to react, Azerbaijan were looking at a gold medal. Yelkiyev threw with ko uchi gari to score waza ari, transitioning immediately in to the osaekomi. Federico NINFO (ITA) and Marcus AUER (AUT) earned bronze medals in this category.
The pressure was on for Anna Monta OLEK (GER) coming in to this tournament, ranked so much higher than her opponents, currently #12 in the world ranking list of the -78kg category, and during her contests it looked like she may have felt it a little bit. Nevertheless, she collected her wins as she made her way in to the final against a physically strong opponent, Liz NGELEBEYA (FRA). It was 12 seconds in to golden score when Olek used her height advantage and long limbs to sweep away the distant foot of Ngelebeya, and added a huge maki komi movement to score waza ari. This is the fifth European Open gold medal for Olek, who has only ever stood on top of the continental open podium, and sixth in total after a win in Perth, 2022. Germany also took a bronze medal in this category thanks to Julie HOELTERHOFF, and Shaked AMIHA (ISR) took the second bronze.
Leonardo VALERIANI (ITA) had stunned his opponents during the preliminary rounds of the -73kg category, but Vladyslav KAZIMIROV (UKR) was ready and waiting for him, shutting his attempts down in the opening minute. Then just over half way, Valeriani once again demonstrated his ballistic abilities, with a blinding drop morote seoi nage. For the Italian athlete, this is his first gold medal as a senior athlete. Bronze medals in this category were awarded to Niels THIJSSEN (NED) and Serhii NEBOTOV (UKR).
There was an all-French final for the +78kg category, Dounia NACER and Oceane DIARRASSOUBA went head to head for the gold. After attacking with o uchi gari, Nacer continued the momentum, pushing her opponent backwards, and though Diarrassouba attempted to counter, she didn’t manage to compete the turn, resulting in a win for Nacer. A third medal went to Team France as Laura FUSEAU took the first bronze, and Netherlands entered the chat via number one seed, Carmen DIJKSTRA (NED) who defeated Alessia GIORDANO (ITA) for her bronze win.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen