Martin Matijass (JC 71 Düsseldorf, NW) started furiously in the class up to 90 kilograms. He won against the American Geronimo Saucedo after just two minutes and against the British Christopher Kumeso Egri after two and a half minutes. In the pool final against Slovakian Milan Randl, the fight only ended 30 seconds before the end due to three penalties for Randl.
In the semifinals he fought his teammate Tim Schmidt. Without a rating, both went into the Golden Score and there Matijass won after 43 seconds with Ippon. The finale only lasted two and a half minutes. He also won against the Serb Mihailo Ciric with Ippon. He won five fights with ippon and the gold medal. “I’m so happy that I’m able to get back to my performances after my injuries,” says the satisfied winner of the European Cup in Sarajevo.
Mario Schendel, national coach U23, also praises the winner. “Martin delivered a super performance and absolutely deserved to win. He positioned himself very well with the gold medal,” he says enthusiastically about the day of the competition.
Timo Cavelius (PTSV Hof, BY) was in the class up to 81 kg after four wins in the semifinals. “I got into the competition well,” he says with satisfaction. He also had a good feeling in the semifinals, but mentally he was almost ready for a golden score. “Then I made a small mistake and almost fell on Waza-ari with the gong. That was very annoying.” He was in the small final and wanted to win the bronze medal. After 90 seconds of fighting, waza-ari and ippon were on the scoreboard. “I won the fight relatively dominantly and threw two Seoi-nage Waza-ari and Ippon.” Timo Cavelius won bronze with that.
Killian Kappelmeier (TSV Großhadern, BY) also wins bronze in the class up to 100 kg. After a bye, he won his opening bout against Britain’s Oliver Barrat after two and a half minutes with ippon, but lost the pool final with waza-ari and went to the consolation round. There he first had to win the golden score against Max Gregory from Great Britain according to Waza-ari ratings. After a good two minutes the decisive third penalty for the Brit and he was in the small final. Against the Frenchman Tanou Keta, Kilian Kappelmeier first fought Waza-ari and then Ippon and won bronze.
Four fifth places for Rafaella Igl (TSV Abensberg, BY), Tim Schmidt (UJKC Potsdam, BB), Dario Kurbjeweit Garcia (TSV Großhadern, BY) and Yvo Witassek (UJKC Potsdam, BB) complete the good result of the German team. In addition, Sarah Mäkelburg (SUA Witten, NW) and Schamil Dzavbatyrov (TSV Großhadern, BY) are seventh.
All other participants lost their opening battle and were eliminated.
In total, the German athletes won two gold and three silver medals and took four fifth and seventh places respectively. In the nation ranking, Germany is fourth behind France, Turkey and Spain, who also achieved two victories each.
