Estonian Judoka Wins Junior European Bronze, Blaming Semifinal Loss on Lack of Experience

Marek-Adrian Mäsak’s route to the European junior judo final ended in the semifinal, but the Estonian heavyweight responded with a decisive bronze-medal victory. In Montenegro, he lost only to France’s Kevin Nzuzi Diasivi, who later became European champion.

Competing in the over-100-kilogram division for Judoakadeemia, Mäsak moved through the tournament convincingly. He showed tactically mature and physically dominant judo throughout the competition. In the bronze-medal bout, he gave his Hungarian opponent no opening and finished the match with a quick ippon.

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The preparation was good, my form was good and everything was moving in the right direction, but the semifinal loss probably came down to my lack of experience. I have been a judoka for only five years, and we learn the most from defeats because they show us our mistakes. My task is to train, listen to my coach and move forward from here by correcting today’s mistakes.

Mäsak said his preparation and form had been good, but he attributed the semifinal defeat partly to his limited experience. He has practiced judo for only five years. He said losses reveal mistakes and give him the chance to correct them through training and by listening to his coach.

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The preparation has been very good. This season I have been able to work closely with Marek as a physiotherapist and keep injuries to a minimum. His physical condition is very good and the preparation has been strong. We have held camps at high altitude and trained abroad with strong national teams, which has provided a good foundation. Unfortunately, in judo even the smallest mistake can cost you a match, and that happened on the way to the final. Marek managed to focus well for the bronze bout and win it.

Physiotherapist Aslan Magomedkerimov said Mäsak’s physical condition was very strong and that injuries had been kept to a minimum. The preparation included camps at high altitude and training with strong national teams abroad. Magomedkerimov said even a small mistake can decide a judo match, but Mäsak refocused well for the bronze bout.

Coach Vladimir Stepanjan said the championship had not unfolded as planned for the team, although Mäsak’s bronze remained a good result. The judoka is due to compete next at the Grand Slam in Hungary and a camp in Germany. He will also enter the adult world championships in Baku in October and then the junior world championships. Estonia’s junior team for the November event in Uzbekistan has not yet been confirmed, but Emma-Melis Aktas is certain to compete.

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The European Championships did not go as I had planned for my athletes. The others lost, but Marek’s bronze is not a bad result. We will now take him to the Grand Slam in Hungary and to a camp in Germany. He will also compete at the adult world championships in Baku in October and then at the junior world championships.