FRANKFURT AM MAIN/FULDA
Three medals
01.11.24 – Last weekend, six judoka from the 1st Fuldaer JC competed in the 8th International Adler Cup and won three medals and two further placements. Rabea Hohmann made her comeback in the U21 after a year and a half injury break and secured the silver medal. Her brother Fabian won a bronze medal in both the U17 and U18 age groups.
The Adler Cup in Frankfurt is one of the absolute highlights in youth judo in Europe. Almost 1,600 judoka from over 300 clubs and 49 nations met in Frankfurt-Kalbach last weekend. Over 80 judges ensured a fair competition on eight mats, with the coveted Eagle Cup medals at stake in the U13, U14, U17, U18 and U21 age groups. For many young athletes it was the first opportunity to compete with international athletes “right in front of the skin”. The 1st Fulda Judo Club was represented at this major event with six athletes in the U17, U18 and U21 age groups.
Bronze for Hohmann, strong fights from Regula and Szymanski
On Saturday in the U17 age group, the two new members Antoni Regula (-60kg, 55 participants) and Michal Szymanski (-73kg, 42 participants) showed courageous fights, but were not able to place themselves in the strong participant lists this year. Things went better for Fabian Hohmann (-66kg, 51 participants). After a bye in the first round, he won against the Dutch Berk Kyazimov (Lu Gia Jen den Haag), Len Peeters (Essenik Sportzentrum) and Joshua Hommes (Kenamju) and thus secured the pool victory. In the subsequent semi-final he unfortunately lost to the Austrian Philipp Burtscher (Union Judo Club Dornbirn), but in the small final he won the bronze medal and defeated Vitalii Markov (Judo Club Wiesbaden). Michelle Müller (-52kg, 17 participants) took 7th place, fighting her way through the consolation round after an opening defeat against the Hungarian Zsofia Raffay (Budapesti Honved Sportegyesület). After victories against the Dutch Jasmijn Papen (De Judoschool Haagsma Bysterbosch), the Austrian Johanna Kosel (Union Judoclub Dornbirn) and Mathea Ling (Brühler TV), she had to admit defeat to the Dutch Benthe Hendriks (Kenamju).
Rabea Hohmann back on the mat: Strong performance after a long break
Late in the evening around 8.30 p.m., after a long wait, the U21 age group started. Rabea Hohmann (-63kg, 8 participants) made her comeback after a year and a half injury break and was able to build on her previous successes. She didn’t miss a beat and, after a bye, sprinted into the final with victories against Linda Zenner (JC Wörrstadt) and Isabelle Schühlein (KSV Esslingen). Here she had to admit defeat to the Swiss Lain-Nau Solène (ecole de Judo Collombey-Muraz) in an exciting encounter and was able to secure second place in her return to competition. Konstantin Lomb (-73kg, 29 participants) contributed another 7th place to Fulda’s success. He won in the main round against the Frenchman Yoann Tremblay (Bourges Judo) and the Dutchman Teun Zwetsloot (Judo Club Amsterdam), before losing to the eventual winner Midas van Huijstee (TopJudo Amsterdam) in the pool final. In the consolation round he won against Johannes Kuppler (Homburger Turngemeinde), but then had to admit defeat to Colin Dobbeck (UJKC Potsdam). At 12:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, the fights in the U21 age group were over and the exhausted Fulda residents began their journey home after a very long day of competition.
Cleared twice
On Sunday Fabian Hohmann started again in the U18 age group (-66kg, 27 participants). Here too, after a bye, he sprinted into the semi-finals with victories against Elron Brettschneider (PSV Olympia Berlin), Max Weinand TV 1892 Merzig) and the Dutchman Len Peeters (Essenik Sportzentrum). Here he had to admit defeat to the Dutchman Luca Richardson (De Judoschool Haagsma Bysterbosch). He won the subsequent small final against Frenchman Matteo Mercier (Bourges Judo), meaning he was able to celebrate two Bronze Eagle Cup medals that weekend.
“To achieve a placement or even a medal at such a high-class international tournament is a strong achievement,” says coach Mike Thiel, pleased with the performance of his protégés. “One or two mishaps motivate the athletes to do better next time. I am very proud that not just one, but several athletes can compete very well internationally.” (ms/pm) +++
