Author: Portuguese Judo Federation
Three finals with all fighters with medals in World or European Championships!!!
The first clash, the -48kg final, put the 2022 World Cadet bronze medal, the Italian Rebecca VALERIANI against the 2023 European Cadet bronze the Spanish Claudia PLA BELMONTE. Both fought hard but the Spanish was tireless on the floor, she knew where the gold was as she ended up holding the Italian into osaekomi.
The -52kg final, the second clash, went on golden score for more than four minutes! The Italian Gaia STELLA, 2022 Cadet European Bronze Medal, took the gold against the Spanish Monica MARTINEZ, Cadet European Vice Champion.
The third final, at -57kg category, also went to golden score and also lasted more than four minutes! Michela TERRANOVA, last year’s European Junior bronze medallist, faced home favourite Maria SILVEIRA, herself a World and European Cadet medallist. With Portimão Arena at her side, Silveira made it possible, the Portuguese anthem was heard.
At the end, Silveira revealed,
The enthusiasm grew throughout the day and it is an incredible feeling to fight with such support from the public.
Still in the spirit of celebrating Women’s Day, she concluded by revealing that,
more than the medals, what motivates me is understanding how these achievements encourage younger judokas to believe that it is possible and see how they strive to become better.
On the men side we have to refer the Italian power at -81kg category. Italia had it all!
Davide ESPOSITO went to the podium as his brothers that won the gold in Grand Prix Upper Austria this weekend.
Already with his bronze medal he confessed,
I also wanted the gold but I am very happy with the bronze one. I had fun fighting, now I’m going back and keep on training.
He was one of the four Italians that were on the semi-finals and on the podium!! Simone COVI was the best in Portimão, very sharp in the beginning of the final, he managed it till the end and taking the gold with him!
Nervous at the beginning for having no international competition for long time but,
I enjoyed the day and, no, I didn’t miss the sun of Portimão (laughs).
Yes, this time the sun did not shine on the outside of Portimão Arena but the temperatures were high inside! Next time Portimão promises it will deliver the full pack! Save the date!
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