In Arad (Romania), the European Judo Cup was held among juniors athletes under 21 years old. On the mats came 248 participants from 33 countries and five continents. In the weight category up to 66 kg Tajik judoka Somon Mahmadbekov won the gold medal.
Performing in the weight category up to 66 kg, the athlete defeated Konstantin Notkin (Ukraine) and Alexander Gabler (Germany), and in the semifinals he beat Karo Marandiyan (Ukraine). In the final duel, Somon defeated Ukrainian Oleg Ovcharenko.
Recall, Somon Mahmadbekov at the Junior Cup of Africa, which was held on April 22-23 this year in Tunis, won a gold medal. Somon Mahmadbekov is a Tajik athlete with Russian citizenship, and at the international competitions he is in favor of Tajikistan.
The Junior European Cup in Romania was the final qualifying start for the official international championships in the age division U 21 – The European Championship, which will be held on September 15-17 in Maribor (Slovenia) and the World Championship, which will be held on October 18-22 in Zagreb (Croatia).
