Russia leads the medal table at European Open in Sofia

The Russian team has won two gold medals at the first day of the European Open in Sofia. The day started though with golf for Azerbaijan. Tofig Mammadov took gold U60kg in his final against Sakhavat Gadzhiev. Mammadov prevent the Russian from taking all gold medals. In a field of 23 man the 19-year old Azeri won his first World Cup.

There was a good field in Sofia with 43 men U66kg and even 46 U73kg fighting for the medals. Ismail Chasygov. As a cadet Chasygov was successful. The Russian won the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Utrecht in 2013. He won a silver medal at the European Cadet Championships U18 Athens in 2014. This time he could make the transition to senior success as he defeated Zsolt Gorjanacz (HUN) in the final. There was also success for the Ukraine with two bronze medals. Karo Marandian and Bogdan Iadov. For Iadov it was a comeback after a long injury period. The category U66kg is very competitive in the Ukraine with Zantaraia, Khachatrian, Iadov and Marandian. Ukraine won bronze U60kg via Artem Lesyuk.

Georgii Elbakiev of Russia won the gold medal U73kg where he overcame Frenchman Benjamin Axus in the final. Axus, bronze medallist at the Grand Slam of Ekaterinburg was caught by ippon by Elbakiev, and 18 year old talent who won the Russian senior title and as a cadet he won in Coimbra and precious medals in Tver and Berlin, all in 2016.