Twelve-year-old wins silver at Jujitsu event
A 12-YEAR-old Cypriot has won silver at the annual Jujitsu European Championship in Wolverhampton.
Dual TRNC and UK national Nazir Huseyin Charalambous — whose mother is Turkish Cypriot and father Greek Cypriot — was among 700 competitors from acoss Europe to compete in the event in front of an estimated 2,000-plus spectators last Saturday.
The championship is said to be a showcase for the highest standard of Brazilian Jujitsu at junior and juvenile level.
Nazir exceeded the odds and expectations of coaches and teammates –- but not his own — to take second place by beating bigger and heavier opponents of a higher grade in three contests, missing out on the gold by just a few points in a teenage boys’ 46kg category.
Currently a National American Grappling Association (Naga) gold medallist, Nazir nevertheless showed disappointment with his latest feat, saying: “I’m not going to accept silver as an achievement because it is not what I was aiming for.
“I don’t want to fall into the habit of settling for less than I aimed for, so although I am really grateful for all the support and kind words of encouragement, I am eager to get back to training and move on to the next competition.” A TEENAGE Turkish Cypriot tennis ace reached the semi-finals of a major tournament without losing a set following a break to complete A-levels in the UK.
Eighteen-year-old Eliz Maloney Yorgancı took part in the Lawn Tennis Association’s British Tour event in Nottingham earlier this month, beating Alessandra