The world champion won against the World N°1, unbeaten for months. Ivan Kvesic won the European Games (June 29-30) by beating Ugur Aktas of Turkey (-84 kg). As happiness never comes alone, his twin brother, Andjelo, was also in the final (+84 kg). But he was dominated by Gurbanli (Aze). Italy's Silvia Semeraro (-68kg) won her first international title while Spain's Palacio Gonzalez keeps taking them in -68kg. In kata, the infernal Spanish duo struck again. Sanchez Jaime and Quintero win the European Games for the second time.

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : Kphotos

 

-84 kg

Invincible for many months, Aktas of Turkey lost in the final at the decision against the Croatian World champion, Ivan Kvesic, after a 0-0. 3rd in 2015, the world N°1 will not win the European Games this time again.

Final : I. Kvesic (Cro) b. Aktas (Tur), 0-0

½ finals : Aktas (Tur) b. Chobotar (Ukr), 4-1 / I. Kvesic (Cro) b. Martina (Ita), 8-0 (Hansoku)

  1. I. Kvesic (Cro)
  2. Aktas (Tur)
  3. Chobotar (Ukr) and Martina (Ita)

+84 kg

After beating World champion Jonathan Horne, Ivan's twin brother did not succeed in imitating his brother. Andjelo Kvesic lost in the final against Azerbaijan's Gurbanli (1-0), who wins his 1st international title.

Final : Gurbanli (Aze) b. A. Kvesic (Cro), 1-0

½ finals : A. Kvesic (Cro) b. Horne (Ger) , 1-0 / Gurbanli (Aze) b. Arkania (Geo), 8-0 (Hansoku)

  1. Gurbanli (Aze)
  2. A. Kvesic (Cro)
  3. Arkania (Geo) and Horne (Ger)

Kata H

He is the best in Europe. He has proved it again in Minsk. Quintero of Spain wins the European Games again, after 2015, beating Turkey’s Sofuoglu in the final.

Final : Quintero (Spa) b. Sofuoglu (Tur), 26,88 vs 25,60

Bronze : Heydarov (Aze) b. Smorguner (Ger) / Busato (Ita) b. Montarello (Fra)

  1. Quintero (Spa)
  2. Sofuoglu (Tur)
  3. Heydarov (Aze) and Busato (Ita)

-68 kg

Silvia Semeraro denied Azerbaijan world champion Irina Zaretska the double at the European Games (after 2015). In the final, the Italian won widely while they neutralized themselves in preliminary pool (0-0). Semeraro wins her 1st big title.

Final : Semeraro (Ita) b. Zaretska (Aze), 5-1

½ finals : Zaretska (Aze) b. Melnyk (Ukr), 1-0 / Semeraro (Ita) b. Quirici (Swi), 4-1

  1. Semeraro (Ita)
  2. Zaretska (Aze)
  3. Melnyk (Ukr) and Quirici (Swi)

+68 kg

Already finalist in 2015, Turkey’s Meltem Hocaoglu knows the same mishap in Minsk. She lost again in the final, this time against Laura Palacio Gonzalez, European Champion last March. Great year for the Spanish !

Final : Palacio Gonzalez (Spa) b. Hocaoglu (Tur), 4-1

½ finals : Hocaoglu (Tur) b. Keinanen (Fin), 0-0 Hantei / Chatziliadou (Gre) vs Palacio Gonzalez (Spa)

  1. Palacio Gonzalez (Spa)
  2. Hocaoglu (Tur)
  3. Keinanen (Fin) and Chatziliadou (Gre)

Kata F

World champion Sandra Sanchez has added a new line to her record and remains undefeated at the European Games in two editions, beating again Italy’s Bottaro.

Final : Sanchez Jaime (Spa) b. Bottaro (Ita), 27,32 to 26,14

Bronze : Esparteiro (Por) b. Fursava (Blr) / Eltemur (Tur) b. Feracci (Fra)

  1. Sanchez Jaime (Spa)
  2. Bottaro (Ita)
  3. Esparteiro (Por) and Eltemur (Tur)