PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

  

ZAGREB, July 21, 2023 – The first day of taekwondo competitions at EUSA Combat 2023 saw athletes displaying their expertise in Poomsae and Freestyle Poomsae events. Among the universities competing, Turkish universities excelled with 7 medals, closely followed by German universities with 4.

 

PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

Men's Poomsae 

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

In the Men's Poomsae event, Nicolas Tragkos (GER) from the University of Hohenheim secured the gold medal, impressing the judges with his precision and technique. Jusuf Emre Akbiyik (TUR) from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University claimed the silver medal, demonstrating his exceptional skills.

Meanwhile, Borna Pečko (CRO) from the University of Zagreb and Yusuf Sahin (TUR) from Marmara University earned the bronze medals, showcasing their prowess on the mat.

 

PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

Nicolas Tragkos (GER), University of Hohenheim, gold medalist: "I feel great; this was fantastic. I have been training for this since I was five years old, and I'm still hungry for victories."

 

Men's Freestyle Poomsae

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

In the Men's Freestyle Poomsae competition, Borna Pečko (CRO) from the University of Zagreb demonstrated his excellence once again, securing the gold medal.

Yusuf Sahin (TUR) from Marmara University claimed the silver medal, impressing the audience and judges alike. The bronze medals were well-earned by Muhammed Emre Yilmaz (TUR) from Gazi University and Jusuf Emre Akbiyik (TUR) from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, showcasing their exceptional talent.

 

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

Borna Pečko (CRO), University of Zagreb, gold medalist: "I prepared for this specific tournament, but my main focus is the Universiade in China. This was a trial before that significant challenge, and after that, we head to the European Championship."

 

Women's Poomsae 

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

In the Women's Poomsae event, Anna Schneeberger (AUT) from the University of Innsbruck showcased an exceptional performance, capturing the gold medal with her flawless execution. Carolina Costa (POR) from the Catholic University of Porto was impressed with her poise and technique, earning the silver medal. Meanwhile, the bronze medals were awarded to Clara Phan (FRA) from Pariz Cite University and Buse Yavaz (TUR) from Gazi University, showcasing their exceptional talent.

 

Anna Schneeberger (AUT), University of Innsbruck, gold medalist: "This is all very exhausting, but it's always worth it in the end, especially when you win a medal. I've been training for 17 years, but I've specifically prepared for this tournament for about a year."

 

Women's Freestyle Poomsae 

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

In the Women's Freestyle Poomsae category, Leah Lawall (GER) from German Sport University Cologne demonstrated her mastery and claimed the gold medal. Laura Heinrich (GER) from the University of Ulm exhibited incredible freestyle techniques, securing the silver medal. The bronze medals were well-deserved by Guslena Karakujulu (TUR) from Gazi University and Syifa Zauziah Nurmazan (GER) from Rhine Westphalia Institute of Technology Achen, showcasing their creative flair on the mat.

 

Leah Lawall (GER), German Sport University Cologne, gold medalist: "This was a fantastic experience; I feel great. The satisfaction is even greater because I managed to take home the gold this year as well. I didn't prepare enough for this, but I certainly gave it my all."

 

  PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

 

As EUSA Combat 2023 continues, the anticipation builds for 2nd day competitions in different weight categories for both men and women. The schedule includes bouts in the following weight categories for men: 54kg, 58kg, 63kg, 68kg, 74kg, 80kg, 87kg, and over 87kg. For women, the categories include 46kg, 49kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 67kg, 73kg, and over 73kg.

 

 PHOTO: Emanuel Pastuović / EUSA Combat 2023

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Text: Bogoljub Živanović / EUSA Combat 2023 media team