Tolosa: Successes of the judokas Saralegi, Etxarri and the Regillaga in the Spanish Cup

With a lot of difference they managed to win, in addition. The senior from Betic added 395 points, 20 more than the second. In the junior category, 392 points, 34.5 more than the second. “With the two couples we got a pretty decent job,” says Saralegi, who adds that in his case it was a meritorious score because he had just come out of an injury. “The goal we are looking for is a 400-point crossbar, because then in the European and World Championships there is a pass to the final and a duel of medals.”

The next objective for these judokas will be the European Championship, in mid-June. The World Cup will take place in November in Abu Dhabi, where they are also looking forward to participating.

Gipuzkoa Championships

The Gipuzkoa Children’s Championship has been held in three different days. The format of the tournament was as follows: points were distributed based on the position obtained in each day, 5 points for the first, 2 points for the second and 1 point for the third. Adding the points obtained in all the days, the general classification is achieved and the first four of the same get a place for the Euskadi Championship.

At these ages, the difference of one year is very noticeable, explains our collaborator, so those who have a second year in the category usually have an easier time classifying. Among the athletes of the Judo Club Tolosa, four medals were obtained, for which four judokas from the club managed to qualify for the Euskadi Championship, where the club has just achieved six medals, which we will report on later.

Paul Gibelalde, Alex Echart and Mara Olano obtained the bronze medal and Unai Arcelus managed to become Gipuzkoa champion. “It was a pity that his friend Amin Lhiti did not qualify for a single point”, they explain from the club, and add: “We want to highlight the passion shown by those who had their first year in the category, although they are aware that they had it difficult and, among them, highlighting the work carried out by Xabat Urkiola, Jon Ander Cifuentes, Unai Artola and Eneko López».

The cadet championship was held for a single day. The judokas who participated from the club completed a good job. Ioar Olano won the gold medal, and in his category Inhar Leunda came close to qualifying for the final and had to settle for the bronze medal. Néstor Gibelalde reached the semifinals, but unfortunately he lost that battle and a mistake in the fight for the bronze medal left him in fifth position. Hodei Jauregi moved down a weight class and that meant losing the strength of his tough kumikata, but he still worked hard enough to take third place.

For his part, Estitxu Labaka took fifth place, demonstrating his desire to fight and his willingness to improve the position he had achieved. Finally, it is worth noting the silver medal obtained by Ion Mateo, which before starting the championship seemed impossible after almost a whole year of recovery work. The Jew from Tolosa continues to display the strength of his quarry.