Katryna Esposito debuts in the -48kgs
Katryna Esposito is Maltese Judo’s up-and-coming star. She is disciplined, trains hard multiple times a day, and role model to her team members. She is every coach’s dream! When the pandemic hit the island, she moved in the sleeping quarters next to the National Dojo at the Malta Judo Academy.
Together with fellow cadet Judoka Kriss Samuel Bartolo, and coach Denis Braidotti, they spent months training together.
The European Junior Championships were the first opportunity for Katryna to put herself to the test. 356 athletes from 37 countries travelled to Porec in Croatia to dispute the 14 titles at stake. The Maltese delegation was made up of Katryna and coach Denis Braidotti.
Katryna was drawn against the Austrian Springer, who had just beat the Moldovian Scutari in the first round. Springer ranked 34th on the Junior World Ranking List. Considering she was drawn against a potential medal winner, Katryna gave a great performance. During the contest, she escaped all Springer's attacks, and counter attacked some of them. She also made some very good attacks and worked in ne-waza (ground work) trying for kansetsu-waza (arm-locks).
Towards the end of the contest, Springer caught Katryna in osaekomi, and even if the hold looked strong and effective, Katryna escaped just 4 seconds before the gong for Ippon (full points) went off, allowing the Austrian to only score a wazari (1 point). 30 seconds from the end of the contest, Katryna made another good attack, but unfortunately lost her grip, and could not conclude. Just 10 seconds from the end, Springer threw Katryna, scoring a wazari, and thus winning the contest, and eliminating Katryna, as this was still the second round.
In her quarter final match, Springer lost to the European Cadet Champion and Bronze Medallist at the Youth Olympic Games, the Kosovan Muminoviq, and proceeded to the repechage (contests for the bronze medal). She then won her repechage final but lost her bronze medal fight against 3time European (Cadet / Junior) Medalist from Portugal, placing 5th.
The highlights from Katryna’s contest can be viewed on: https://youtu.be/bMrRKkD2lw 8 or Malta Judo Federation’s Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.
Coach Braidotti said: “I am very happy with the effort Katryna is putting in during training. It is still work in progress that will surely lead to the raising of her level.
I am sorry for today because Katryna could have played at least one final for the bronze but I am equally happy with her attitude. I thank the Maltese Judo Federation and all the Maltese sports bodies that have allowed us to live this experience, as well as all the teammates for their support. The road to medals in these competitions is long but we are on the right one”.
This participation would not have been possible without the support of Sportmalta and the Maltese Olympic Committee.