Tallinn Ambassador Cup success

The Estonian Ambassador Cup took place on December 9. in the traditional Kalev Hall. The teams from TU11 and Nurmijärvi participated from Finland. The trip didn't go without a hitch, but the sporting event was great.

Severi Sarala competed in the boys' -68 kg category, winning both of his matches and a gold medal was hung around his neck. The opposition was surprisingly tight, but the wins were clear.

Emilia Lahti and Milla Väyrynen competed in the under-53 kg category. Emmi lost her own quarter-final opener. The organizers already gave him a bronze medal, but they realized that he had to take it. So there was a bronze match between Milla and the other Estonian girl who lost the semifinal, and Milla took the medal with a clear and intelligent match. The tension caused by a break of a couple of years, which was visible in the opening match, was probably replaced by action.

Plum Kopisto and Venne Viitaniemi won clear victories in their series. Venne won both of his matches completely overwhelmingly and Plumkin won clearly in his three matches in the junior series. In the cadet series, Plum lost his opening match after a good fight to a much bigger Latvian opponent. There were already two tight junnumats below and there was hardly any break.

The most exciting day was for Sofia Sarala, who wasn't supposed to have matches in the first place. However, opponents were suddenly found in the B series, where head contact was prohibited. Sofia got into the first match cold, but she took it anyway. The final stretched to Golden Point, which, however, easily turned to Sofia.

The arrangements left much to be desired, e.g. there was no hotel room reserved for the second night, the schedules went as they were, etc... However, the resourceful parents and the calm-minded athletes managed things in the right order.

The successful season of the match team was wrapped up in the way it deserved, with a medal party!