The final day of individual competition at the Junior European Championships in Maribor saw 19-year old Inal TASOEV (RUS) in total control of the +100kg category. Tasoev won each of his four contests by ippon, collecting five waza ari along the way without once being scored upon. Having made his way to the semi final Tasoev came up against Jur SPIJKERS (NED) whom he had lost to at the European Cup in Orenburg a little over three months ago. Tasoev was in no mood for hanging around and after only 20 seconds caught the Dutchman with yoko sutemi waza for waza ari. Spijkers remained positive and attacked with right o uchi gari which was countered in spectacular fashion by Tasoev initially with ko soto gake from which the Russian was then able to follow up with a huge tsuri goshi for ippon. In the final Tasoev appeared even more focused and defeated Stephan HEYGI (AUT) with a neatly executed shime waza within the first 35 seconds to take the gold medal. There were bronze medals for Amirani TSIKORIDZE (GEO) and Gela ZAALISHVILI (GEO).
When asked about his day Tasoev said,
“I can’t express in words how I feel about my success today. My preparation for this event was very long and hard, so I can say I am very happy. My most difficult fight today was the semi-final against Jur Spijkers. I had lost our previous fight, so I really wanted to win and take revenge for this. Prior to the final, my only thought was Silver is not an option, I have worked too long and hard for this.”
In the -81kg category Tim GRAMKOW (GER) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Luka MAISURADZE (GEO). There were bronze medals for Christian PARLATI (ITA) and Jasper SMINK (NED). In the -90kg category Aurelien DIESSE (FRA) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Mykyta MATLASHEVSKYI (UKR). There were bronze medals for Jamal PETGRAVE (GBR) and Grigor SAHAKYAN (ARM). In the -100kg category Zelym KOTSOIEV (AZE) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Arman ADAMIAN (RUS). There were bronze medals for Daniel MUKETE (BLR) and Daniel ZORN (GER).
In the -63kg category Sanne VERMEER (NED) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Gilis SHARIR (ISR). There were bronze medals for Emilie KANERVA (FIN) and Dena POHL (GER). In the -70kg category Madine TAIMAZOVA (RUS) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Michaela POLLERES (AUT). There were bronze medals for Alice BELLANDI (ITA) and Aleksandra SAMARDZIC (BIH). In the -78kg category Klara APOTEKAR (SLO) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Marina BUKREEVA (RUS). There were bronze medals for Chloe DOLLIN (FRA) and Lea GOBEC (CRO). In the +78kg category Romane DICKO (FRA) won the gold medal whilst the silver medal went to Anna GUSCHINA (RUS). There were bronze medals for Kubranur ESIR (TUR) and SZIGETVARI MERCEDESZ (HUN).
