Montreal, July 21, 2018 – Canadian judokas Virginia Nemeth (-48 kg) and Marie Besson (-52 kg) both tried to win the gold medal in their respective categories on Saturday during the Junior European Cup in Prague, in Czech Republic. Both will come back home with a silver medal around their neck.

During the gold medal fight, Ontarian Nemeth was defeated by Turk Tugce Beder, who won the title by waza-ari. Earlier today, Nemeth won against Portuguese Teresa Castro in the semifinal, and Turk Ozge Andic in the preliminary round.

“I fought really well. My brain was on the right spot at the beginning of the day. I was calmer and more focus on strategies. I was well prepared. However, my focus kind of shifted at my last fight. I tried something but I made a mistake and fell behind. I had never fought Beder before,” explained the athlete.

A Canadian Face Off

In the -52 category, Canadians Marie Besson and Taeya Koliaska were up against each other in the semifinal. Besson won the bout by ippon in 42 seconds. “I fight against her around 10 times a year, so I knew what I had to do to win,” explained Besson.

The Montrealer continued on to the gold medal fight, where she lost by ippon against German Annika Wurfel. “I had two good attacks in the beginning. After, I changed my grip to the left side, but it was a mistake, because she made me fall. I know I can win against her! I had a good day, and my coach, Jean-Pierre Cantin, prepared me well.”

Albertan Koliaska went on to the bronze medal fight. Netherlander Naomi Van Krevel only needed 5 seconds to win by ippon, placing her Canadian opponent in 5^th place.

“This is her best result so far in a Junior European Cup. She had good fights, and I’m happy with her progression,” said Cantin.

Earlier, Besson and Koliaska both won by ippon in the preliminary round.

Camélia Pitsilis (-57 kg), from Longueuil, ended in 7^th place. Her day was cut short after losing her second fight in repechage by ippon against Russian Anastasiia Kuniaeva. She had a record of 2 victories and 1 loss in the preliminary rounds.

Nemeth (left) and Besson (right) on the podium

A Top 10 for Demaere and Antic

On the men’s side, Albertan Joel Demaere (-60 kg) ended in 9^th place. He was eliminated after his second fight in repechage. Russian Obid Dzhebov, who went on to win a bronze medal, won by ippon. He had a score of 2 victories and 2 losses, as did Sava Antic, who also placed 9^th.

Fighting in -66 kg, Julien Frascadore and Mitchell Markwat didn’t get a ranking.

The competition continues on Sunday with Anne Martin (-63 kg), Hanako Kuno (-63 kg), Shianne Gronen (-70 kg), Allayah Copeland (-78 kg), François Gauthier-Drapeau (-81 kg), Luka Khatelishvili (-81 kg), Benjamin Kendrick (-90 kg), and Joe Casey Andres (+100 kg).

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
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