In the U9 age group, Luca Zuberbühler became Eastern Swiss champion. Liam Hartmann and Hiranur Demirsoy won in the U11 category. Nino Rebholz, who has already gained some fighting experience in wrestling and has also been training intensively in judo for some time, made an impressive debut in the U13 category. He won all fights and, much to the delight of his father and coach Christian Rebholz, can also call himself Eastern Swiss champion.
Helena Zäch even won a gold medal in two categories – in the U14 (-44 kg) and U18 (-48 kg) age group. She once again showed that she is a force to be reckoned with at the Swiss Championships on November 30th in Yverdon.
Federer a nose duster away from gold
Janick Federer also started in the U18 category. In his new weight class up to 66 kg he showed a very offensive, dynamic judo. With active footwork, he kept his opponents off balance and attacked at exactly the right moment. He won three fights. In the final against Samuel Tischhauser from Buch, Federer fell behind after almost two minutes, but with constant pressure he scored in the last minute to tie the score. However, he then injured his nose. After a long period of treatment, the Rhine Valley native returned to the mat, but Tischhauser now sensed his chance and was crowned Eastern Swiss champion with 15 seconds to go. Janick Federer remained happy about the silver medal.
Behind (from left): Andreas Kamber, Daniel Federer, Sascha Walker. Middle (from left): Hiranur Demirsoy, Fabio Nägeli, Jed Belazi, Fabian Sonderegger, Lien Giovanon. Front (from left): Liam Hartmann, Samara Walker, Keanu Hartmann, Luca Zuberbühler.
Von links: Yuri Molodtsov, Janick Federer, Giuseppe Lavanga.
Yuri Molodtsov goes for the choke.
In the elite category (-81 kg) Yuri Molodtsov made it onto the podium and won bronze. Once again he showed how consistent his ground work is. Molodtsov won two of four fights with a choking technique that forced his opponents to submit. Giuseppe Lavanga, who started in the same category, was eliminated after three exciting but losing fights.
15 Rheintal judokas win a medal
In addition to the five Eastern Swiss champions, Federer and Molodtsov, eight other Rhine Valley judokas returned with a medal from Wil: Samara Walker, Keanu Hartmann (both U9) and Jed Belazi (U11) won silver. Fabian Sondereg-ger and Lien Giovanon (both U11) as well as Fabio Nägeli, Jérome Dietsche and Filip Moravac (all U13) were awarded bronze.
The 16 fighters of the JJJC Rheintal were well coached by trainers Daniel Federer, Christian Rebholz, Sascha Walker and Andreas Kamber.
