Schmalkalden (oz/pf) – Six men from the 1st Fulda Judo Club started last weekend at the 11th “Mandy Clemen Memorial Tournament” in Schmalkalden. They achieved a sensational result with two gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Eric Schlaudraff (U45 male) and Ruvis Nguefack (U30 male) secured gold. At the same time, Marharyta Sharova (U11 female) took part in the South Thuringian Youth Judo Championships, which were also held in Schmalkalden, and won another gold medal.
The 11th “Mandy Clemen Memorial Tournament” took place in Schmalkalden last weekend in honor of the founder of the Judo department of SV Schmalkalden 04 and honorary member of the Thuringian Judo Association, Hans-Dieter “Mandy” Clemen, who died in 2010. The tournament was traditionally held in the age groups U18 to Ü55. More than 80 participants from 23 clubs and eight federal states showed that it is still possible to practice judo at a competitive level, even at an advanced age. Among the participants were numerous medal winners from world and European senior championships, as well as active league fighters.
Eric Schlaudraff offered a strong re-entry into the competition. After a 21-year break from competition, he performed at his best at his first tournament start and secured the gold medal after two victories with Ippon in the U45 age group. Ruvis Nguefack won another gold medal in the U30 age group, also with two early wins.
Christian Krüger in the U30 age group was able to celebrate a silver medal with 3 wins and one loss. Oleksandr Sharov (U45), Nico Longo (Ü55) and Detlef in der Mühle (Ü55) contributed the three bronze medals to the Fulda success.
“Participating in a tournament with such a large group of adults at the end of the training-free summer holidays is something special and shows the great motivation of the athletes,” said coach Mike Thiel happily.
The great result of the Fulda men meant a strong sixth place in the tournament’s club classification.
Another highlight from Fulda’s point of view was provided by Marharyta Sharova, who was able to contribute another gold medal to the successful competition weekend of the 1st Fulda Judo Club in the U11 female age group at the South Thuringian Judo Championships taking place in Schmalkalden at the same time with two early wins. Sharova, who had actually only come to support her father, who was fighting in the men’s division, was spontaneously invited by the organizer to take part in the youth tournament. Within a very short time, the organizer got a suitable judo suit for them and they could start. A really great gesture, for which the 1st Fulda Judo Club would like to thank you.
The 1st Fulda Judo Club invites those interested in judo to a trial session in the Heinrich von Bibra Hall. The training times and contact details are on the homepage www.judo-fulda.de to find.
