Khalmurzaev shows useful practise at European Cup Bratislava

Khasan Khalmurzaev seems ready for the Olympic confrontation with rivals Avtandili Tchrikishvili and Takanori Nagase. At the European Cup for Bratislava the Russian European Champion took the victory U81kg. In the final Khalmurzaev defeated Benjamin Muennich of Germany. In a field of 33 judoka Khalmurzaev won his five matches. Although very few Olympic athletes participated in Bratislava, the Russian team sent part of its first team. On Saturday Irina Dolgova won the U48kg category.

The German athlete were the best in the country ranking with five gold medals. Philip Graf defeated Beslan Mudranov by ippon in an exciting final U60kg. Lukas Vennekold overcame Ukrainian Robert Hasangaev U66kg. Close to his home Jakub Jecminek of the Czech Republic defeated Wiktor Mrowczynski U73kg on Saturday.

On Sunday Germany’s victories continued with gold for Dino Pfeiffer U100kg against Paralympian Zviadi Gogotchuri U100kg and the Ukraine took gold this time U90kg by Dmytro Berezhnyi who beat Hannes Conrad (GER). Daniel Allerstorfer, just back from Castelldefels, won the heavyweight category where Renat Saidov just finished seventh.

The German women booked victories U57kg by Jacqueline Lisson U57kg and Lea Peuschel U70kg. Romanian Larisa Florian won the category U52kg and Switzerland celebrated the gold of Larissa Csatari U63kg in a final against Ekaterina Valkova.

Small pools with five participants U78kg and +78kg with victories for Ukrainian Anastasiya Turchyn and Italy’s Elisa Marchio. We know who are the top favourites for Russia and today’s gold medal for Khalmurzaev was just a nice finger practice for him.