Moldovans bring medals from European Taekwondo Championship for students

Moldovan students have won the second and third places at the European Taekwondo Championship among universities (Olympic version). The event occurred in Moscow on November 6 and 7, Vladislav Mazur, the Moldovan Federation's president, told a news conference on Thursday. Iulia Latus, a 11-grade student from Chisinau, got the silver in the category of 63 kg, losing to Russian Yulia Akimova. Vladislav Arventii, aged 15, a student with the Sports Lycee from Chisinau, brought a bronze medal home, after defeating Ukrainian Sergei Mastipaka, European vice champion in the 54 kg category. “The results are very good. Arventii, for example, was for the first time at such a contest and managed to defeat a senior vice champion, 10-12 older than him,” Vladimir Mazur said. In the countries ranking, Moldova is the 7th of 20, leaving behind Greece, Spain, Portugal, countries said to have traditions in this sport. The Moldovan federation's next objective is to participate in the juniors world championship next May. The countries gaining the first 8 places there will qualify for the 2010 Olympics.