Azerbaijan dominated the Junior competition in the second day of action at the 2020 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships. Representatives of the Eastern European country finished the day with three gold medals as the European upcoming stars of the sport in Junior divisions were crowned today. 

Azerbaijan dominated the Junior competition in the second day of action at the 2020 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships. Representatives of the Eastern European country finished the day with three gold medals as the European upcoming stars of the sport in Junior divisions were crowned today.

Powerhouse nation of Azerbaijan opened the gold medal count with a hard-fought victory in Junior Male Kumite -55kg. Sultan Huseynov defeated Niklas Tamse of Slovenia 4-3 and begun the successful day for Azerbaijan. It would not be the only crown for the top European nation today since Farid Aghayev became continental champion in Junior Kumite Male -76kg after edging Turkey’s Alperen Yaman 1-0.



The third title for the fierce Azeri karatekas was taken by Osman Osmanli. The young athlete claimed gold in Junior Kumite Male -76kg over Romania’s Florentin Tanas 2-0 thus wrapping up the successful day for the delegation of the Eastern European nation.

FIRST GOLD FOR HUNGARY

The much-awaited first title for hosts of Hungary came in the final of Junior Female Kumite -48kg. Dalma Jakubovics put the full-crowd arena of BOK sports centre on their feet when she defeated Hazel Balik of Turkey in a one-sided final bout 4-0.



“I am very happy. It was great to win in front of such a supportive crowd. The atmosphere today was great. I cannot believe that I actually won, I am so happy. Before the tournament, my only goal was to win a medal, and now I did it,” said the young Hungarian karateka.

RISING NATIONS INCREASE GOLD MEDAL COUNT

Turkey extended their impressive tally of awards in this event with the continental crown in Junior Male Kumite -68kg. Faruk Yurur Omer beat Italy’s Daniele De Vivo 3-0 and paved the way for another impressive day for the Turkish delegation.

Oleksii Hotsuliak took the first title for Ukraine after upsetting France’s Ryan Gari in the final of Junior Kumite Male -61kg by “Senshuu” or first unopposed point. England also claimed their second gold by “Senshuu” since Lilly Niam Cosgrove edged Serbia’s Brankica Negovanovic in the final of Junior Kumite -53kg (2-2).



Meanwhile, France increased their tally of awards with Emma Marie Elisabeth who took the French flag to the top of the podium for the second time with a 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan’s Ayla Rzazade in Junior Kumite Female -59kg. The last title of the Kumite categories today was claimed by Marta Pascual Chico of Spain who defeated Sanya Petkova of Bulgaria in the final of Female Kumite +59kg (4-1). Italy and Turkey won the titles in Cadet and Junior Female and Male Team Kata respectively.

The 2020 EKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships will conclude on Sunday with the crowning of the new U21 continental champions. CLICK HERE to go to all the information about the event including results and competition calendar.