EJU ARTICLE – Rasa Sraka (SLO) has always been successful in Sofia. She won the World Cup four times already and competes again this weekend in Bulgaria.
Sraka shares the ranking of most successful women in Sofia with Mara Kovacevic (SER) who also won four times. The Slovenians are successful anyway in the history. Heavyweight Lucija Polavder won three times in Sofia, Petra Nareks as well. Both fighters also compete in the strong line up for this first World Cup for women of 2010.
Nareks, competing U52kg has to deal with young talents like World junior Champion Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo, who competes for Albania this weekend as her country is not yet recognized by the IOC.
Major favourite for the title however is European champion Nataliya Kuzyutina of Russia. Russian women won 12 titles in Sofia so far, Oxana Karzakova was the only Russian woman to win the U52kg category in 2001.
Slovenia, Japan and Cuba won the most gold medals since 1989 of the World Cup in Sofia. This set of countries all won 13 titles out of 140 champions.
Sraka can become the topscorer this Sunday.