Mathilde Aurel, 2024 European cadet vice champion.
Photo credit: The Spirit of Judo
Her sode-guruma-jime against the Russian Zarina Tsakulova in the semi-final was a model of the genre. French cadet champion in -40kg and juniors in -44kg, Mathilde Aurel, from Judo Lons 64 opened the French counter this Thursday in Sofia during the first day of the European cadet championships, with a beautiful but frustrating silver medal. Very interesting on the ground where she showed the ability to master several different strangles, the judoka trained and followed by Pierre Sanders, would only lose in the final against the Spanish Aiora Martin Carriches, on penalties, in a strangely refereed fight, where the sanctions were often out of line with the logic of the fight.
Fifth last year in Odivelas during the 2023 edition, Aurel, member of the Poitiers hopeful pole, confirms in Bulgaria his dynamic of progression observed throughout the season, with in particular his two national titles and his victory during the Croatia European Cup. A sure bet from the France group which is, however, the only one to get on a podium for this first day.
Axel Cuq (Dojos de l’Agglomération du Niortais 79) was not far away. Diligent – as always – the reigning French -50kg champion did not find the solution in the semi-final against a Ukrainian who countered him with a yoko-guruma, and for the bronze against an Israeli who showed himself more attacking with his morote-seoi-nage. A day with a positive balance for Pauline’s little brother, because this category with two Russians, two Georgians and an Azeri was very solid. He didn’t miss much, especially in the semi-final. Enough to work for the world championships in Lima (Peru) at the end of August.
The other French people of the day in -44kg, -48kg, -55kg and -60kg are not classified. A bit of disappointment all the same since all of them are European Cup medalists this season, with even victories for some of them.
With its only silver medal, France is ninth in the medal rankings this evening. A provisional position due largely to the fact that the six categories of the day are won by six different countries! Spain leads thanks to its women (gold in -40kg, silver in -44kg) ahead of Israel. A country from which we absolutely must remember the astonishing performance of its -60kg Izhak Ashpiz! A name to keep in the back of your mind in the demonstration of this little guy, reigning world champion, revealed a disarming superiority: o-uchi-gari in the final and before kata-te-jime, kata-guruma, eri-seoi-nage. A technical palette both very clean and effective which made this judoka the attraction of the day.
Azerbaijan is third ahead of Russia who won a first title thanks to their -55kg Magomed Abdulaev, a very relaxed and explosive judo. A name also to remember.
Country ranking
1) Spain: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze
2) Israel: 1 gold, 0 silver, 2 bronze
3) Azerbaijan: 1 gold, 0 silver, 1 bronze
4) Russia: 1 gold, 1 bronze
5) Germany: 1 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze
2024-06-27 22:25:04
#cadets #Aurel
