Walid El Badaoui finished fifth at the Senior Judo Autonomous Championship in Valencia, reaching the bronze medal match despite competing in a weight class above his own. The junior-level athlete represented Judo Nulense in the -81 kilogram category, where he faced senior competitors with more experience and higher body mass.
Walid El Badaoui’s Path to Fifth Place in -81kg Category
Entering the tournament at approximately 75 kilograms, El Badaoui competed in the -81kg division, a tactical decision that placed him against heavier opponents. After receiving a bye in the first round, he advanced directly to the quarterfinals.
El Badaoui controlled the early stages of his quarterfinal bout, but a decisive move by his opponent in the closing moments secured the victory for the rival judoka. Following this loss, El Badaoui entered the repechage bracket.
The comeback phase saw El Badaoui win his first repechage match by maximum score. He then advanced through a second bout using tactical positioning to qualify for the bronze medal fight. Although he maintained a high competitive level in the final match, he was unable to defeat his opponent, concluding the championship in fifth place overall.
Lemuel’s Performance in the -73kg Division
Also representing Judo Nulense, Lemuel competed in the -73kg category. The athlete, who is one year younger than El Badaoui, won his opening round match before suffering a defeat in the quarterfinals. Lemuel was subsequently eliminated after losing his first bout in the repechage phase.
Club Assessment of Junior Development
Pedro Fandos, the head of the club, described El Badaoui’s performance as magnificent, noting the difficulty of a junior athlete fighting for a senior autonomous medal against older and more experienced rivals. Fandos stated that the club is currently working to help the athlete reach the maximum weight permitted for his category.
Fandos emphasized that both El Badaoui and Lemuel are progressing season after season. He noted that the experience of measuring themselves against the senior elite in the Comunitat Valenciana is essential for their growth as athletes.
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