Yahn Motoly Bongambe of France was one of two gold medallists from the nation at the World Judo Cadets Championships ©IJF

France won gold medals in both of the men’s categories contested on the opening day of the World Judo Cadets Championships in Sarajevo.

The opening day of action saw medals awarded in ultra-light weight categories open to competitors born between 2005 and 2007.

In the men’s under-50 kilograms Yahn Motoly Bongambe of France took the gold after beating world number one in the category Sebestyen Kollar of Hungary after condemning his opponent to a third penalty, after both competitors were given two shidos.

Bronze medals went to Dias Zholdybaryev of Kazakhstan against Gof Safaryan of Armenia and David Leiva of the United States, who beat Mahammad Mamaishov of Azerbaijan, both in golden score.

There was further French success in the men’s under-55kg category as Zacharie Dijol overcame number one seed Shahin Orujzade of Azerbaijan during golden score.

Dijol claimed victory when his opponent was penalised for a head dive, earning his nation’s second gold of the day.

Bronze medals went to Daviti Lomitashvili and Saba Sabashvili, both of Georgia, who were victorious against Roy Rubinstein of Israel and Anvarjon Ibrohimov of Uzbekistan respectively.

Anastasiia Superson of Ukraine celebrates winning the first gold of the Championships in the women's under-40kg ©IJF
Anastasiia Superson of Ukraine celebrates winning the first gold of the Championships in the women's under-40kg ©IJF

The first medals awarded in the Championships came in the women’s under-40kg category, as Ukraine’s Anastasiia Superson overcame Begumnaz Dogruyol of Turkey by an impressive shime-waza for ippon to take gold.

Bronze medals went to Tatricia Tomankova of Slovakia and Zilan Ertem of Turkey, after respective victories against Laziza Haydarova of Uzbekistan and Nina Auer of Austria.

The women’s under-44kg category went to the form book with top seed and world number one Vera Wandel of the Netherlands, who won gold at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Banska Bystrica and the European Championships in Porec this year, beating Zeynep Betul Sarikaya of Turkey.  

The final went to golden score, and after Betul Sarikaya was given a third penalty, is was enough to seal the gold medal for Wandel.

Bronzes in the category were awarded to Umidakhon Burkhonjonova of Uzbekistan, after her opponent Enkhbulag Jamiyan of Mongolia was penalised for a head dive, and Rebecca Valeriani of Italy, who defeated Spain’s Oses Beorlegui.

Competition is scheduled to continue at the Arena Hotel Hills tomorrow.