Judo WC 2014: Andreea Chitu, silver medal in 52 kg category

Romanian athlete Andreea Chitu on Tuesday became the world vice-champion in Judo in the 52 kg category by winning the silver medal in the World Judo Championships held in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, where two years ago she won the European title in the same category.

The incontestable success of the Romanian athlete is illustrated by the fact that this silver medal rivals the best performance in the history of Romanian judo, namely Constantin Nicolae's silver medal won in the World Championships in Maastricht, 33 years ago. In the World Championships, Romania has a track record including two silver medals and nine bronze medals.

Ranked sixth in the world judo hierarchy, Andreea Chitu defeated the athlete ranked second in the world hierarchy, Brazilian Erika Miranda, in the semifinals, meeting Kosovan Maglinda Kelmendi, that is competing under the banner of the International Judo Federation, reigning world champion since 2013 and ranked first in the world.

The bronze medals went to Erika Miranda (Brazil) and to Natalia Kuziutina (Russia).

The other Romanian athlete competing in the 52 kg category, Larisa Florian, was defeated through ippon by Belarussian judoka Darya Skrypnik in the first match of the group stage. AGERPRES