Closing in to a very special event in Georgia, with the Covid19 still as a strong factor. No doubt that the the pandemic have an impact at the tournament, but everything is set to go off as planned. The difference between how the nations have been able to prepare are huge. Some nation has not been allowed to train and do sparring, others close to normal. Anyway, we dive into the categories to take a look into the line up..
Women -60 kg 14 fighters
In this category, we have some of the big names – based on earlier results and achievements.
Winner of EC Open Weight 2019 Lily Mezo / Hungary, will automatic attract attention – and on the “opposite” side Rūta Brazdžionytė / Lithuania. Why we separate them is that we like to see this as a “young blood vs veteran” setting – thinking of these two as top contenders to the victory. Mezo have impressed us all with her skills and technical fighting – despite her young age.
Poto by Svein O Bænnes
On the other hand, Rūta Brazdžionytė has been on the top level for over TEN YEARS! Coming into the EKO EC in 2010, being the runner up three years a row (in the lightweight) moved into the middleweight in 2013 and secured her first EC tittle! Runner up in 2015 and 17. Did also secure the EFKO EC tittle in 2020. This will be a great match up – if it is happen.
The category do have several other great fighters as well, also been on the EC podiums and more. Sandra Nowak / Poland – three times on the EKO EC podium, showed top level over a certain time – will be a force to recon. Notice that Nowak enters ta higher category than las time, moving upwards in the categories from -50 (2 3rd places) -55 3rd place and now in this category. Teammate Natalia Korzec – being the U21 EC champion from 2019 (-65) will also “mix in” but it is natural to believe that some time to establish in the senior category is required. The same about Swedish fighter Mirjam Björklund, U21 EC Champion from 2019 (-60)
A little more established in the senior category: Solmaz Zeynalli / Azerbaijan – with two podium entries, runner up in 2019, and 3rd place in 2018. Has been “in the ring” with the best, advanced in the EFKO EC, but lost in the ¼ final later, after several long hard fights. One of them mention above, Björklund, that Zeynalli pulled out her way.
A “dark horse” in the line-up could be Vaiva Kairaitytė / Lithuania – been in the EC before, but she has dropped down from a higher weight class. Showed very strong fighting in categories above 60kg, did also win the Lithuanian national this year. Two fighters from Ukraine – and like mention above, young promised fighters are coming up. Duziak did represent Ukraine in the 4th. KWU World Championship, winning the qualifying tournament. Have also been on the U-21 podium Shin U-21 EC and other Open tournaments.