Croatian representatives continue to win medals at the European Championship in Kazan, Russia.
Split native Lovre Brečić became the European champion in Taekwondo on Friday in the 63kg category, where Zagreb’s Deni Andrun Razić won the bronze. The 22-year-old defeated Turkish competitor Hakan Recber (19-18) in an extremely dramatic final to become champion. Zagreb’s Marija Štetić achieved the bronze medal in the group up to 57kg after defeating Split’s Bruna Vuletić in the quarterfinals (12-3), reports Gol.hr on May 11, 2018.
In the final and only 36 seconds before the end of the third round, Brečić had an advantage of 14-10, but considering taekwondo is such a dynamic sport, players can come back at any given moment. This is precisely what Recber achieved to then lead over the Croat. Brečić, however, did not dare allow his opponent to get comfortable for too long, and in the last seconds with a knock in the leg, he won the European gold. This is the Split athlete’s first senior medal after his achievements in his younger years where he was the European champion for Juniors and Young Seniors (U-21).
Brečić secured the quarterfinal victory impressively, dominating his French opponent (21-3), and had an equally convincing fight in the semifinals (19-3). In the semifinal, Brečić fought against his representative colleague and friend, Denis Andrun Razić (23), who was ultimately happy with winning bronze – his first medal in big competitions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=q4MYowoguDc
The first medal in a senior competition was also won by 23-year-old Marija Štetić, a member of Zagreb’s Dubrava, who defeated a well-known opponent. Moreover, it was an important fight for the Zagreb competitor not only because Štetić secured the medal, but she overcame Bruna Vuletić to remain undefeated.
In addition to those who fought for medals, two more Croatian representatives appeared in Kazan on Friday. Tanja Rastović from Split club Marjan lost in the 2nd round of the category up to 53kg, losing to Greek opponent Christianna Tyrologou (8-15), while Marko Golubić from Zagreb’s Metalac lost in the 1st round by Azerbaijan’s Mahammad Mammadov in the 68kg category.
The third day of the competition will see three male and four female Croatian representatives. In the class of up to 62kg, Kristina Beroš (Dubrava) and Ivana Babić (Marjan) will fight, while Matej Jelić (Marjan) is expected to compete in the category of 67kg. Toni Kanaet (Marjan), Marko Mutak (Casper) and Piero Marić (Casper) will fight in the 74kg division, and Luka Horvat (Osvit) will compete in the 80kg group.
On Thursday, Croatian representative Kristina Tomić became the European champion with a victory over Natalia Antipenko.
