Athletes pose following the conclusion of the IBSA European Judo Championships ©IBSA

Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine each completed a superb weekend at the International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) European Judo Championships, triumphing in separate team competitions at the Odivelas Sports Hall in Portugal. 

Azerbaijan surprised Russia in the main men's team competition, with Ukraine and Spain each taking bronze medals.

Russia made amends in the B1 classification, beating France in the final.

Ukraine got the better of Russia and Turkey to win the women's team event.

Russia finished top of the medals with four golds, four silver and nine bronze.

Ukraine were narrowly second with four golds, three silver and one bronze, with Azerbaijan accruing three gold, three silver and two bronze.

Turkey and Georgia each won one gold apiece, while France, Britain, Belarus, Croatia, Spain and Germany all secured podium finishes. 

The Championships is the first major Para-judo competition to take place in Portugal ©IBSA
The Championships was the first major Para-judo competition to take place in Portugal ©IBSA

More than 100 of Europe's best visually impaired judoka, representing 20 countries, competed in the Portuguese city in what has been hailed as one of the most successful championships to date.

"I'm in IBSA since 2002 and I think this was the best organisation I’ve seen," said IBSA sports director János Tardos.

"Portugal must be congratulated for its ability to organise this kind of event and for the ability to address all the challenges.

"Odivelas received the best European athletes, allowing high quality judo.

"After the Paralympics begins a new cycle, IBSA and myself we will surely make a new challenge to Portugal."



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