A Day Of Anthems In Berlin
Autor: EJU Media
Zuerst veröffentlicht bei / First published at: A Day Of Anthems In Berlin
For fans of national anthems, Berlin had plenty to offer on the first day of the Junior European Cup 2025. Eight weight classes produced eight champions from eight different countries. And each gold medalist followed their own unique path to the top.
First up was Linthoi CHANAMBAM (IND), part of a rising Indian team. She became India’s first Cadet World Champion in Sarajevo in 2022 (-57 kg), and now made her mark in Berlin with a breakthrough win in the -63 kg category on the tour and also becoming the first Indian gold medallist at the Berlin event.
Next came Josef TOMANEK (SVK), who took gold in a close fight against the 2024 Cadet World Champion in the -55 kg category, Nihad MAMISHOV (AZE), in the – 60 kg final.
In the – 70 kg final, it was Jana CVJETKO (CRO) who defeated the only top-seed in the final in Maria Eduarda OLIVEIRA (BRA).
For Junior European bronze medallist Alexis RENARD (FRA) a single yuko was enough to win the -66 kg gold.
In the -73 kg division, Benjamin Levy (GBR) showcased strong groundwork to secure gold with his ne-waza skills.
The +78 kg final featured a David vs. Goliath scenario: the “tiny giant” Roxana Visa (ROU) threw her much taller French opponent for ippon to take the title.
And finally, the spotlight turned to another promising name in Germany’s bright -78 kg future: Mathilda Sophie NIEMEYER.
After winning silver in 2023 and bronze in 2024, it was finally the gold medal in Berlin for Niemeyer. In the final, she faced the young but already accomplished Zuzanna BANASZEWSKA (POL), U23 European bronze medallist 2024. Niemeyer sealed the win in golden score with a well-controlled, hand-driven o-uchi-gari off a counterattack.
For her it was a restart after an injury but she is not done yet. With a Junior World silver and two Junior European bronze medals already to her name, Niemeyer is aiming to add more medals this year. And she’d certainly be happy to hear the national anthem a few more times before her junior season ends.
Mathilda Sophie Niemeyer:
It felt very good to win gold. I was injured and this was my first competition since March. I didn’t go into this with such high expectations, because it’s my first competition. But I’m still quite proud that I’ve fought my way to gold here after a tough road.
The field in Berlin was stronger than in previous years. With European Champion Mazzarino in the semi-final and the young Polish judoka I had in the final. Banaszewska is very tall. And she is very strong for her first year of juniors. So I was a little nervous going into this competition.
Next month is the Birmingham Junior European Cup. I want to compete there again. Just to get back into the flow a bit. And to get to know more opponents for later this season.
Author: Iljana Marzok
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