Marczak claims European Youth Olympic Festival Gold

On the final individual day of the judo competition at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Maribor, Slovenia, Julia Marczak (Judo Sensei London) secured gold for Team GB in the -70kg category.

Competing for the first time since her 5^th place finish at the European Cadet Championships in Odivelas last month, Marczak entered as the 4^th seed.

Entering in the second round, Marczak overcame Julia Szmaniak (POL) in just 15 seconds to secure her place in the Quarter-Finals.

In the Quarter-Final Marczak had to wait until the final 17 seconds to register the decisive, contest-winning, ippon score to defeat Nina Muteba (FRA).

Marczak didn’t waste any time in securing her place in the final as she defeated Nadie Jaafar (BUL) in just six seconds in their Semi-Final contest.

The final was another fantastic display of dominance by the young Brit as she defeated her opponent, Anna Oliinyk-Korniiko (UKR), in the opening 45 seconds to secure the gold medal.

Marczak’s result was a welcome change in fortunes for Team GB judoka. Derek Marczak (Judo Sensei London) suffered a round two defeat to Josef Ivtchenko (GER) but was granted a reprieve by way of the Repechage. D Marczak overcame Robi-Lucas Honkanen (FIN) before defeat to eventual bronze medallist Yunus Yazgan (TUR).

In the -57kg category, Chloe Link (Relentless Judo) went a score up early in her opening round contest against Camille Sternon (BEL) but was pinned for a second waza-ari in Golden Score.

In the -60kg category, Ross McWatt (Garioch Judo) overcame Christos Stavrou (CYP) before a round two defeat against Amsar Dzamaldinov (BEL).

Amelia Alder (Judo Club Osaka) also overcame her round-one opponent, Gizem Dincer (TUR) before facing eventual silver medallist Aitana Diaz-Hernandez (ESP) in round two.

Opening ceremony flagbearer, Irakli Goginashvili (Palavani Judo Club), suffered a shock defeat to Stepan Fiser (CZE) in the opening round in the -66kg category.

Lola Hodson (Dragons Judo Academy) was defeated in her round two contest against Tabea Nika Mecklenburg (GER), following an opening round bye.

Jesse Chraniuk (High Wycombe Judo Centre) and Eva Ewing (Sportif) both suffered round one defeats on the opening day of competition in the -55kg and -44kg categories respectively.

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