For Mina Libeer (IJF 23), the European Judo Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, ended immediately in the second round at her first match. She was eliminated in the class up to 57 kilograms by the French Priscilla Gneto (IJF 15) and thus did less well in the hunt for points for the Olympic ranking.
“At the moment, on the one hand, there is a lot of disappointment and on the other hand, I have to look ahead to the next tournament, which is coming up next week. The focus must remain high,” she responds.
Two years ago, Mineer was good for bronze at the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. This time she immediately stumbled over the first hurdle against Gneto. It quickly had her in a headlock. “It was a belated reaction to the ground from me,” she explains. “As I said, it is now time to recharge as quickly as possible for the coming weeks. I hope to be able to bring more of my own judo again.”
The European Championship was also over for Amber Ryheul (IJF 28) after just one round. In the minus 52 kg she lost with waza-ari to the Dutch Naomi van Krevel (IJF 30).
“I don’t have many words. I’m disappointed, but realistic that it’s just not right. It will have to be better,” he said. “I don’t have much time to think about it because we’re leaving for Tajikistan next week. Two more tournaments to collect points and then we’ll see.”
In the Olympic rankings, Libeer is currently 22nd (qualified) and Ryheul is 27th (continental quota).
Ellen Salens fails in rematches at minus 48kg
Ellen Salens closed the European Judo Championships in Zagreb with a seventh place in the class up to 48 kg. She won her first two matches, but then suffered two defeats, meaning she could not compete for a medal.
Salens (IJF 48 and 48th on the Olympic ranking) started with two victories by ippon, successively against the Austrian Katharina Tanzer (IJF 35) and the Slovenian Marusa Stangar (IJF 16). In the quarter-finals she then lost against the Russian Kristina Dudina (IJF 37), who forced an ippon after 2:35. In the second chances, a defeat followed in the Golden Score with waza-ari after no less than 7 minutes and 11 seconds against the Portuguese Catarina Costa (IJF 8).
“I am ‘satisfied’ with my first two rounds. The start was a bit rough, but I eventually got through,” she explained. “The second round went smoothly. In the quarter-finals I should have waited a little more against my Russian opponent and not run towards her. That could have yielded a different result. I have been rather disappointed with how the camp went in the rematches. It was a fairly closed camp.”
Nevertheless, Salens leaves the Croatian capital with a satisfied feeling. “I have shown that I can compete at this level. With a small number of adjustments, there is more to it,” she underlined. “Now I’m going to rest for a few days and then resume training.”
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