Stabia goes for the podium at the European Judo Championship | Sports

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A historic appointment for Extremadura sports arrives. On the 26th, the European Club Championship – Judo Champions League begins in Georgia, with the participation of the Judo Club Stabia de Mérida. In order to gain access to this prestigious event, the Merida team have won the highest men’s National Division, and now, thanks to the support of the Mérida City Council, they will be able to attend and fight against the best clubs in Europe. “Who was going to tell us when we started the adventure of the National League in its Third Division more than 20 years ago”, say the members of this great club that will fight to be among the best. They will face the most powerful clubs in Europe, such as Paris Saint Germain from France, Red Star from Serbia or Golden Gori from Georgia, which have several world, European and even Olympic champions. But Stabia has managed to form a very competitive team that allows them to dream and aspire to everything.

The team consists of 5 weights: -66 kilos, -73,-81,-90 and +90 kgs. In -66 they will have Fran Garrigóssecond in the World Ranking and current European champion and David García Tornétwo-time national champion and Grand Slam medalist.

In -73, the manchego Jose Antonio Aranda, habitual in the team of the League. He is a double national medalist and a medalist in the International circuit and Salvador Casaschampion of Spain, medalist in Grand Slam and in the world top 10.

In 81 kgs, the first stabiano of the house, Pablo Sanchez beside Jose Maria Mendiolaand the first international signing Vedat Albaryak (Turkey) European champion and in the world top 10.

At -90, Dani Nieto, who, because he is from Stabia, from Emeritus and has an unwavering commitment to his club, will act as team captain. The second 90 is a top-level international signing: Kristianz Toth (Hungary), Olympic bronze, World Champion and runner-up in Europe.

In +90, Spanish Niko Sherazadashvilitwo-time world champion along with another top-level international signing: Levani Matiashivili (Georgia) who has already been with the Stabia on other occasions. He is a European bronze, Grand Slam medalist and 6-time Georgia champion.

In addition, the Emeritense Olympic judoka Cristina Cabana He will also be in Georgia to play the Champions League. Cris will be with the Spanish women’s team that will represent Spain, the Judo Club Valencia.

Miguel Martinezdirector of the Judo Club Stabia de Mérida, declares that “we are going to win. We have made a team with a lot of head, very compensated and we did not give up or lose out with any team. The draw is important but we don’t care, we are going to to go to the top and we would love to get a podium. Within the difficulty we are convinced that we will achieve it”.

The people of Emeritus feel very happy about this historic event. “We are excited, with a tremendous desire to take the flight, participate and take Mérida, Extremadura and Spain as high as possible.” These are duties that have taken us 20 years to achieve. This year we won the First Division and the right for the Spanish Judo Federation to register us in the European Club Championship. From there, we needed financial support to be able to attend the event and thanks to the Mérida City Council we have achieved it and here we go”.

“We have done things well, with a very fair budget and we have a team so as not to give up to anyone for all of them”, underlines the very excited coach of the Judo Club Stabia de Mérida

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They are the eight best clubs in Europe. “France is a world power and Paris Saint Germain is almost the French team that was Olympic champion at the home of the Japanese and the rest are very powerful like Golden Gori, current European club champion with three Olympic champions in the team. But we have done things well, with a very fair budget and we have a team so as not to give up on any of them for all”.

You can listen to the interview in full, here ????