This is good

The hurricane wind that swept through Spain and Portugal at the beginning of last week gave way to a real storm, but this time a sport one, by the weekend in Lisbon. For three days, on the tatami of the Atlantico Hall, the passions of the European Judo Championship were in full swing - the last, and therefore in many ways decisive, rating tournament for the 2008 Olympics.

In the homeland of Vasco da Gama, in a dispute with representatives of 46 European teams, the Russians won four awards. The top step of the podium for the sixth time in his career was taken by the super heavyweight from Vladikavkaz Tamerlan Tmenov (+100 kg), “silver” (also sixth in his personal collection) by St. Petersburg resident Thea Donguzashvili (+78) and Vera Moskaluk (78) from Nizhnevartovsk, and "bronze" - Alim Gadanov (66) from Nalchik. The main result of our team’s performance was the consolidation of positions in Olympic qualification in 13 out of 14 possible categories. Today, apart from the Russians, only the French have such a solid representation at the judo tournament of the 2008 Games from Europe.

And if our men had a completely favorable situation with Olympic licenses even before the competition in Lisbon, then among women the Russians occupied a confident position in only four of the seven categories. Wrestling in Portugal made it possible to achieve a place on the “Olympic train” in two more weights: Vera Koval strengthened her position and won a ticket for Russia in the weight 63 kg, and Yulia Kuzina, despite a serious injury - a torn ligament in her right hand, made her way into the number lucky winners of a ticket to Beijing in the 70 kg category. Russia does not have a license only in the weight of 57 kg - Natalya Yukhareva did not reach the Portuguese “gold”, which guaranteed a place in qualification.

It’s been a long time since Russia won a medal in the 66 kg category, and in Lisbon the steadily progressing Alim Gadanov won bronze. According to the team coach Sergei Tabakov, if Alim had not received food poisoning on the day of the competition, the medal would have been of a higher value.

We are accustomed to victories in the men's heavyweight division and therefore could not expect a different result from the captain of the national team Tamerlan Tmenov. Moreover, after the Russians lost in two finals on Sunday, only Tmenov had a chance to win the only “gold” for the country. And Tamik did not disappoint - a throw to the juko, and then another explosive attack, a clear movement of the legs, and the Italian Bianchesi, having rolled his entire back across the tatami, remained defeated. Ippon - Tmenov raises his hands in victory, and at the scoreboard his mentor, Alik Bekuzarov, shows “six” on his fingers. A unique result - our hero became the strongest on the continent for the sixth time. “By the will of fate, I had to become Russia’s last hope for gold in Lisbon,” said Tamerlan. “And if I had not won, I would not have forgiven myself.”

Won Olympic licenses and a high position in the world rating list, as well as the bright character and strong spirit of athletes, work in a team of talented coaches and specialists, as well as comprehensive support, primarily from the general partner of Russian judo - the KOALCO company, allow us to hope for a decent performance by our team in Beijing. Domestic judokas will continue their preparation for the Games, and an intermediate, but important for personal selection, start will be the World Super Cup for them, which will be held at the end of May in the Moscow Megasport complex on Khodynka.

Marina MAYOROVA, Lisbon - Moscow