Two More Medals For Croatia In Dubrovnik

The second day of the European Cup in Dubrovnik did not go unnoticed, and the quality of the event is evident from the fact that, in addition to Olympic champion Barbara MATIĆ, one of the most popular names in mixed martial arts came to watch the final block, the 44-year-old Dutchman Alistar OVEREEM, who is currently on vacation in Dubrovnik.

On the last day, Croatia added two more medals to the overall standings, with bronze medals won by Dora BORTAS (JK “Samobor”) and Mikita SVIRYD (AJK “Student” – Split).

In the fight for the bronze medal in the -57kg category, Bortas faced Frenchwoman Chloe DEVERSAIN, against whom she finished everything in the first minute of the fight. Three throws, two points, one ippon for the 25-year-old Croatian.

It was a tough day, the medal is here so I’m happy, let’s move on! The semi-final fight was definitely the toughest physically and mentally, a long golden score, in the end it didn’t go my way but we’ll be stronger next time. Of course the medal was certainly in sight as the ultimate goal, but of course I wanted to have good fights and give my best. I’m happy that the medal is here, I think the expectations were met.

Although the unfortunate start, Sviryd is gradually getting back to “working temperature”, today it was through the repechage fights, and he showed that with today’s bronze medal in the over 100kg category when he defeated Montenegrin Slobodan VUKIĆ.

I feel good, but I came here for the gold medal. I stupidly lost in the first fight, three penalties to two penalties, I don’t know why I got that third warning, but, in the end, I have the bronze medal. I’m not really satisfied, but it was a very good training before the European Championships in Montenegro.

I haven’t been on the IJF and EJU tour for three years and two months, I only started two months ago and the beginning is still difficult, although I’m in good shape and physically, but in my head I’m not mentally strong enough because I haven’t had regular competitions. I’m trying and getting ready for the LA Olympic Qualifications that start next year.

He previously recorded two wins and a loss, he was better against Stef VAN KAMPEN (NED) and Vaclav JASEK (CZE), he was defeated by Yann RIGAUD (FRA).

Finalist and silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, German Eduard TRIPPEL performed normally in his -90kg category, in which he won the silver medal today. Although the 28-year-old German national team player’s first competition after the Paris Olympics had already made it to the finals, on the other hand, he was faced by Azerbaijani Murad FATIYEVA, who did better in the second minute of extra time.

I feel very tired, I haven’t had many competitions with many fights for a long time. I fought in the Bundesliga, the German league, but there you only do one or two fights, so it was a good decision to fight here. We had good opponents here, it was almost like a Grand Prix competition, so it felt good for me. To be honest, it was just important to have good fights, no expectations, just fun, no pressure, just look at it as training. It was as I planned, today was great.

I’m nominated for the European Championship, after that we’ll see, I guess I’ll fight at the World Championship, but it’s up to the coach to decide who will fight at the World Championships, so I don’t have any concrete plans for the future.

In the meantime, I fought in the Bundesliga up to 100 and over 100kg, it was a crazy experience, but I won all my fights. The Bundesliga is quite fun with my teammates, it’s not like a real tournament, but a very good training and experience,” added the silver medalist from Tokyo.

After two days of competition, Croatia finished in third place in the overall standings with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals. First place was taken by the Azerbaijani national team, while the French national team came in second.

Judoka

Mikita Sviryd

Dora Bortas

Eduard Trippel

Author: Thea Cowen

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