The third day of the 14th World Junior Competition belongs to Russian Alibek Bashkaev, reign champion in the -81kg division and crowned for the second time in Bangkok. The 17-year old Bashkaev achieved the same fate as French Teddy Riner, junior world heavy-weight champion in 2006 and 2008. Japan took the lead at the medals table winning its third gold (total of eight) with Haruka Tachimoto on the top of the -70kg division. Brazil is just behind the overall standings with two golds (five medals). Twenty-two countries in total won medals in the first three days of competition in Thailand.
Today, Korea got its first gold with Won-Jung Kim (-73kg), same happening with United States, which had Kayla Harisson crowned in the -78kg category.
“It is an awesome feeling to win this gold. Ronda Rousey (Olympic 2008 bronze medalist and former junior champion) is one of my mentor. I helped here during the preparation for Beijing and she is also always supporting me. We train in the same club, with Jimmy Pedro (twice Olympic bronze medalist)”, says the 18-year old Harrison, planning the next steps in her career. “I look forward the next year World Junior Championships, and also the Senior World Championships. And, of course, I will work hard to be in London 2012”.
-81kg:
1. Alibek Bashkaev (RUS)
2. Artem Vasylenko (UKR)
3. Ramin Gurbanov (AZE)
3.Yasuhiro Ebi (JPN)
5. Mike Chavanne (SUI)
5. Szabolcs Krisan (HUN)
-73kg:
1. Won-Jung Kim (KOR)
2. Benji Nortan (NED)
3. Victor Oliveira (BRA)
3. Riki Nakaya (JPN)
5. Alexandros Tsopozidis (GRE)
5. Maxime Lambert (GER)
-78kg:
1. Kayla Harisson (USA)
2. Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA)
3. Ruika Sato (JPN)
3. Nadia Campestrin (SUI)
5. Nino Odzelashvili (GEO)
5. Luise Malzahn (GER)
-70kg:
1. Haruka Tachimoto (JPN)
2. Mayra Silva (BRA)
3. Irina Sordiya (RUS)
3. Abigel Joo (HUN)
5. Su-Hyun Ju (KOR)
5. Anne-Katrin Lisewski (GER)