Ivashchenko powerful her and Russia's 4th gold medal
Russian Elena Ivashchenko collected her fourth European title. In Chelyabinsk she prolonged last year’s title of Istanbul in the final against Lucija Polavder. A wel known rival, she fought the Slovenian 16 times in international matches and won her 11th encounter. This year Ivashchenko was better in the final of the EJU World Cup in Sofia as well. The reasonably smaller Polavder tried to take the initiative but Ivashchenko was so strong she threw Polavder to the ground and controlled her taking the title, powerfully cheered by the home crown. An ocean of noise for Ivashchenko who enjoyed the public and vibrations in the Traktor Stadium. Polavder won 7 European medals and wasn’t used to losing her list fight, five times she won bronze but never lost a final.
Karina Bryant showed she is still capable for a surprise. Her last trick will be the Olympic Games. Getting ready for this Chelyabinsk is a nice stop for the train calling for London. Bryant, aged 33 now has a great reputation winning four European titles in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2005. 100 seconds before the end she threw 13 years younger Larisa Ceric for Ippon. Who knows, the British flag will rise in London. At least she keeps each hope alive.
The second bronze medal was for Belkis Zehra Kaya from Turkey who had a tough opponent in Carola Uilenhoed (NED). The two heavyweights kept the crowd excited using the golden score.
Lucija Polavder won her seventh medal at the European Champions but couldn’t repeat her performance title in Vienna in 2010 when she defeated Tea Donguzashvili in the final witnessed by PM Putin. Elena Ivashchenko prolonged her title in Russia and claimed the fourth European title. Three in the plus category and one in the open category in 2007.
Ivashchenko secured the fourth gold medal for Russia. Eight countries heard their national anthem for their gold medal this championship.
Four athletes won their fourth European title: Telma Monteiro, Edith Bosch, Gevrise Emane and Elena Ivashchenko.
