The European Judo Championships kicked off with an exciting battle in the U44kg young women’s category. Russia’s Evgenia Demintseva emerged victorious, securing her second European title. This victory follows her U17 European title win in 2009, solidifying her place as a rising star in the sport.
Demintseva’s path to gold was marked by a tenacious performance against Spain’s Cristina Casas. After a tense first three minutes, Demintseva clinched a decisive score, taking control of the match in the final minute. Casas, who finished seventh last year, showed remarkable progress but ultimately couldn’t overcome Demintseva’s strong defense. Her attempts to accelerate the pace of the fight came too late.
This win marks a significant milestone for Demintseva, who previously won a bronze medal at the 2009 World U17 Championships and finished fifth in her first U20 World Championship. With this victory, she has now earned Russia’s 30th European junior title since 1993.
Bronze Medal Battles
The bronze medal matches showcased the intensity and skill of the young competitors. German judoka Irina Morena Hernandez fought a thrilling battle against Switzerland’s Priscilla Morand. After a tie during regulation time, Hernandez secured her first European medal with a spectacular ippon in the golden score period, despite having already earned a gold medal in Prague’s European Cup.
In another close encounter, Vita Valnova of Belarus secured bronze after a golden score victory over Turkey’s Nesrin Kartal. This medal is Valnova’s first in the U20 category, following her bronze medal win at the U17 European Championships last year. Her consistent performance is a testament to her dedication and skill.
