Reigning European junior champions Kara Kojc and Keno Kojc successfully defended their title in the junior katame-no-kata. The judoka from Ljubljana’s Polyteam competed among nine pairs. After the qualifications they were in second place, but in the final they delivered an excellent performance and claimed a convincing victory with a 22-point advantage.

For Kara Kojc and Keno Kojc, this is their second consecutive European junior title in katame-no-kata, while for Slovenia it is already the third consecutive title in this discipline. Two years ago, also in Sarajevo, Kora Kojc and Tito Karanjac Kroflič claimed the title, last year in Riga Kara and Keno celebrated the gold medal, and this year they repeated the success in Sarajevo. The Slovenian team thus continues its run of outstanding performances at major kata competitions.

Aljaž Colarič and Tina Pestotnik also achieved a major success, competing in adapted nage-no-kata. After finishing fourth last year, they took a step forward this year and became European runners-up. Slovenia’s success in adapted nage-no-kata was complemented by Matej David and Nuša Ambrožič, who finished fourth, and Tina Skerlep and Kati Ambrožič, who finished fifth. In the seated version of adapted nage-no-kata, Tina Fink and Ines Hartner Novak also placed fourth. With these results, Slovenian kata competitors won another medal and confirmed that the Slovenian kata team remains among the most successful in Europe.

In the regular part of the European Championships, Slovenian competitors also performed in other kata events. In nage-no-kata, Kati and Nuša Ambrožič finished 9th in their preliminary group. In katame-no-kata, Kora and Kira Kojc placed sixth in their preliminary group, as did Tomo Mihaljević and Tito Karanjac Kroflič. In ju-no-kata, Benjamin Mehić and Tina Jaklič concluded the European Championships in fourth place in their preliminary group.

After yesterday’s European title in ENBU kata, the Slovenian team continued the championship in outstanding style. Congratulations to Kara, Keno, Aljaž, Tina and all Slovenian representatives, their coaches, and the entire Slovenian team for their excellent performances in Sarajevo.

Slovenian judge Darko Krašovec also officiated at the European Championships.

Photo: EJU - Carlos Ferreira