EJU trial in Gyor a great success

In the Hungarian city of Gyor, no fewer than 400 young judokas from 40 European countries, recently turned up to contest the first Euro Championships for Cadets.

This competition evolved after the introduction of judo in the European Youth Olympic Days (EYOD) organised by the European Olympic Committee.

Judo has always been on the EYOD programme and its popularity prompted the European Judo Union (EJU) two years ago to introduce the European Cadet Cup.

This competition proved to be a tremendous success so much so that during a congress in 2001 it was proposed that this championship should be elevated to the status of a European Championship.

At first, the Union was cautious but the proposal was eventually approved with Education Sports Director Envic Galea entrusted to control proceedings and make sure that the educational principals of Judo were maintained.

During the draw, coaches were urged not to put undue pressure on these young athletes. Cohesion between coaches and organisers turned out to be very good and the championships were an example of sportsmanship and fair play.

What was more interesting was that from around 1,000 bouts, there were only ten interventions by doctors to give medical assistance and mostly for minor injuries.

For a contact sport of such intensity as Judo, this proved that the proposals put forward by the Union's Medical Commission and the Educational Commission has made the sport one of the safest.

MJF representatives

The Malta Judo Federation (MJF) representatives in Gyor were Murman Korchilava and Island Games bronze medallist Rachel Grech.

Korchilava, a Georgian but a full MJF product, would not have had the possibility of taking part had the MJF not acquired a permission from their Georgian counterparts.

Murman, who participated in the 73kg class, was drawn against Belgian Wautard.

Murman soon pinned his opponent down and the referee started counting but either through tension or inexperience, he allowed Wautard to break the hold down.

Murman, 16, was then less than two minutes away from victory but suddenly lost concentration and started to adopt different defensive techniques. Without doubt, he could not hear coach Maestro Alfredo Monti's instructions.

The referee penalised Murman's defensive attitude and a few seconds before the end of the four minutes, he even let the opponent enter and apply a minor attack gaining a decisive superiority.

Maestro Monti was very disappointed because he was sure Murman could have attained a fifth or seventh placing in the Euro Championships.

Grech was drawn against a strong Croatian and as could happen in Judo she lost her first bout and was not given the opportunity to compete again as her opponent was also eliminated in the subsequent bout.