Marczak finishes 5th at Cadet European Championships

Derek Marczak (Judo Sensei London) finished in fifth place on day two of the Cadet European Championships is Odivelas, Portugal.

The result marked an upturn in GB fortunes following a tough opening day at the Championships.

 Competing in the -73kg category, Marczack defeated Vygirdas Narkus (LTU), Arel Koczinski (ISR) and third seed Desir Zoba Casi (FRA) to win his pool and progress to the quarter-finals where he was defeated by Stanislav Sahir (UKR).

Marczack faced Bogdan Velickovic (SRB) for bronze and with the contest seemingly heading for Golden Score, the Serbian judoka registered a waza-ari score in the closing 10-seconds to secure the bronze medal, meaning the young Brit had to settle for 5^th.

Also competing in the -73kg category Isaac Hope (Bredakwai Judo Academy) defeated Bulcsu Pinter (HUN) in the opening round before a second-round defeat to Saad Dikajev (EST).

In the -57kg category there were also round two defeats for Chloe Link (Relentless Judo) and Kenady Raine (Tees Valley Judo) after they overcame their opening round opponents.

In the -66kg category, Irakli Goginashvili (Palavani Judo Club) had an opening round bye before defeating Ofek Dvir (ISR) in round two. Unfortunately for the young Brit he was defeated by Ramzanzan Live (GER) in round three. Also, in the -66kg category, Peter Davies (Ealing Judo Club) was defeated in the opening round.

Welsh judoka Lola Hodson (Dragons Judo Academy) was defeated in her opening round contest in the -52kg category.

On the opening day Amelia Alder (Judo Club Osaka) overcame Victoria Bilba (MDA) in her opening round contest before defeat to the number one seed and eventual bronze medallist Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP).

Elsewhere on the opening day, there were opening-round defeats for Jesse Chraniuk (High Wycombe Judo Centre), Luka Gigilashvili (Palavani Judo Club), Eva Ewing (Sportif), Luke Tannian (Bradley Stoke) and Ross McWatt (Garioch Judo).

Saturday is the final day of the Championships and Julia Marczak (Judo Sensei London) and Noah Black (Clyde Judo) compete in the -70kg and -90kg categories, respectively for GB Judo.

You can watch all the action from the Cadet European Championships LIVE at judotv.com each day.

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