Romania racks up two golds at Judo European Cup event in Slovenia

Romania has picked up two gold medals in the Judo European Cup event in Celje-Podcetrtek, Slovenia, which ran over weekend, June 15 and 16. Violeta Dumitru and Costel Dănculea (in picture) won gold in the 48 and 73 kg classes, respectively. In the 48 kg final, Violeta Dumitru beat Katharina Menz from Germany to take the gold. Dumitru topped Group B after victories over Renatei Kiss, Hungary, Annei Bartole, from Italy, and in the semi-final, Vaugarny Melodie of France. In the men's competition, Costel Dănculea overcame Felix Galuaev of Russia in the final to secure the gold. On the way to the 73 kg final, he beat Dominik Sommer (Switzerland), Alfredo Mezzadra (Italy), Joery Biekmann (The Netherlands) and Stefan Friedrich. În the semifinale, Dănculea defeated Christopher Voelk from Germany to set up the bout for gold against the Russian. Several other Romanian athletes were in action – Roxana Ioanca, Dan Fâşie, Gheorghe Bodîrlău, and Remus Lazea – but all were eliminated before the medal stage of the competition. editor@romania-insider.com photo source: eju.net