As the newly crowned U21 world champion, the 20-year-old from Lungau also took first place in the competition of the greatest European talents. She dealt with a lot of setbacks this year.
Elena Dengg has impressively underlined her status as one of the greatest judo talents in the world. The U21 world champion from Mariapfarr also won the gold medal at the U23 European Championships in Pila, Poland, on Saturday. The athlete from top club ESV Sanjindo Bischofshofen prevailed in the final of the weight class up to 70 kilograms against the two-time U-23 European champion Samira Bock from Germany in the golden score with Waza-ari and thus won her second junior title within six weeks. The 20-year-old from Lungau achieved the decisive score with a counter technique (Tani-otoshi) after 5:35 minutes of net fighting time.
“The most difficult and most beautiful year”
“This difficult year couldn’t have ended better for me. Due to the many injuries, first to my thumb, then rib and knee, it was my most difficult year. With two gold medals, first at the Junior World Championships, now at the U23 European Championships I have more than fulfilled my goal for the season and at the same time it is the best year of my career so far. I had to miss the Junior European Championships and also the European Championships. Now I have won a second title. that you never If you can give up, you always have to give 100 percent. Then you’ll be rewarded in the end,” says Dengg.
