Cadet European Cup Berlin Germany 13-14Apr24 (Max Zollinger, Aaron Xu, Nikola Dobric)
- Max – Max’s R64 match against GBR was short and sweet with a strong twitch for Uchi-Mata followed by a committed attack giving Max the Ippon in 15s. In his R32 match against NED Max had to claw back from an early Waza-Ari against him from Harai-Goshi. NED adapted to the Uchi-Mata attacks and 3m into the match, Max tried to switch his Uchi-Mata but NED read it well and threw Max with Uchi-Mata. In the second round of Repechage against MDA, Max attacked numerous times with Uchi-Mata and Deashis. In his last attack, MDA stepped over the Uchi-Mata and scored with Harai. With 69 in the division, this placed Max in the top 10.
- Aaron – Aaron’s first match was R64 against ITA. Aaron fought hard with attacks using Uchi-Mata and Sumi-Gaeshi. He also had to defend against Seoi and Kata-Guruma from ITA as well as against some strong groundwork. At 3m ITA defended Aaron’s Uchi-Mata in which Aaron’s arm was left behind leaving an opportunity for ITA to attack with Juji-Gatame, giving ITA the submission.
- Nikola – In the R64 against NED, Nikola opened with a Kosoto-Gake attack but was countered Waza-Ari, so he had to try and graft his way back into the match with a number of attacks. With Nikola focussing on an Eri grip, NED adapted to these attacks and at about the minute mark, reacted with Sode which Nikola initially blocked but unfortunately not completely, allowing the throw to be completed for a second Waza-Ari.
- Lots of lessons learned by our boys and a lot of more valuable mat time at the post-competition camp as well, which is of huge benefit. Well done team and Kerrye on a great trip. More to come from these guys for sure. Head down, push on.
2024 Teplice Cadet European Cup Results 6th - 7th Apr24 (Max Zollinger, Aaron Xu, Nikola Dobric)
- Aaron – Dominated his first match against SLO scoring well with Uchi-Mata early in the match and then at the half-way mark scoring again with Osoto-Gari. In the Round of 32 (R32) against GEO, he started well gripping aggressively looking for his top hand. He defended an Eri-Seoi well but after losing his grip during his Osoto attack, his arm was loose and GEO jumped on this quickly securing the armlock. GEO won his next two matches making the SF and Aaron was back in repechage against CZE. A fairly even match with attacks from both boys, Aaron making a strong Uchi-Mata but also having to defend on the ground. At the half-way mark, Aaron attacked with Osoto, but was countered by CZE with Ura-Nage. In his first European Cup, this was a good start for Aaron with a number of take-aways to work on in preparation for Berlin.
- Max – Against his GER opponent, Max scored in the first 8 seconds with Uchi-Mata. The rest of the match was a slog with Max losing some momentum but doing enough to maintain his advantage. The round of 32 (R32) against SWE was a slog from the start, Max taking some risks and almost getting countered. 2 Shidos to one down, Max lifted his game and for the last 1.5 minutes it was level at 2 shidos each. 30 secs into GS, Max almost scored with a switch Tani-Otoshi and in the next exchange scored from Uchi-Mata to Kouchi. Against GEO in the R16, at 1.5mins Max was countered backwards for waza-ari. At the 2m mark, Max threw GEO with a massive Uchi-Mata but it was an overthrow and not scored. In the next exchange he looked for a switch and GEO was prepared securing a counter. The second round of repechage against HUN was frustrating for Max with HUN beating him to the attack with Kata-Gurumas, stalling and slowing the pace. Going into GS 2 shidos to 1 down, Max came off a Seoi attack and was awarded Ippon from his Sumi-Gaeshi counter but it was waved off. 1m30s in GS with 2 Shidos each, just getting beaten to the first attack once too many times, Max was penalised ending his day. With 2 wins and 2 losses, some valuable lessons learned for the upcoming camps and the Berlin competition.
- Nikola – Against ISR, Nikola started well successfully fighting for his dominant top right grip in the first two exchanges attacking with Harai and following up on the ground. ISR started to adapt and attacked with Sode’s and with Ashi-Waza. A Shido down at this stage and frustrated in getting his dominant grip put Nikola under pressure on the edge where he was penalised Shido. This gave ISR more momentum and he continued to pressure Nikola to the edge where Nikola succumbed a third Shido. Nikola would have been disappointed in In his first international event; however, these are important lessons to work on before next week’s event in Germany where improvements will definitely occur – one step at a time.
Well done boys and Kerrye for great coaching.
