In the -63 kg, we saw a phenomenal performance by the young Szofi Ozbas as she won all of her fights and by the end of the day she could hear the national anthem of Hungary on top of the podium.
The cadet European Championship bronze medalist was overwhelmed with joy as she won the final and knew she had gotten the title as Youth Olympic Champion. This was the category, that another Hungarian won four years ago in Nanjing at the 2014 YOG as Szabina Gerscak took the gold to Hungary. Now it will stay there for another four years.
In -81 kg we saw another Ippon Gear athlete reach the final as Martin Bezdek took home a silver medal for Czech Republic. The two time Cadet European Cup winner from this year showed his worth in the category.
It was also a great event for the Austrian lightweight in -55 kg, Daniel Leutgeb. He has had a terrific year with a European Cup gold medal in Berlin and the bronze medal at the Cadet European Championships and had high hopes for himself here in South America. Daniel made his way to the bronze medal match and secured the medal for him and for Austria.
Also, Javier Pena Insausti made it to the podium as he collected the bronze medal as well. The Spanish -66 kg fighter was Cadet Vice European Champion earlier this year and now able to add another medal to his collection.
The Croatian lightweight Ana Viktorija Puljiz also managed to reach the podium. The -44 kg fighter has made it clear that she is one to watch as she topped her silver medal at the Cadet European Championships with another silver medal at the Junior European Championships this year.
The sixth IPPON GEAR medal was won by Hungarian Zsombor Veg who picked up a bronze medal in the -100 kg weight category and took the second possible medal for Hungary. Indeed very successful for the team.
In -78 kg, Czech Republic came close to a second medal as Ester Svobodova placed fifth after losing narrowly out in the bronze medal match in golden score.
It have been successful first Youth Olympic Games for the Ippon Gear Team. The athletes came home with a lot of memories and felt how it could be to stand on an Olympic Podium. An experience they will never forget and something they will remember in their pursuit to chase their Olympic Dream.
We are very proud of our youngsters and how they continually bring home medals at the biggest competitions in the world.
