Opatija, Croatia: November 10-13, 2015

The Opening Ceremony of the 4th European Universities Taekwondo Championship took place on 11th of November in Opatija at the Ambasador Hotel. The Ceremony was attended by the participants and several authorities, including Mr Pero Lucin – Rector of the University of Rijeka, Mr Fernando Kirigin – Deputy Mayor of city of Opatija, Mr Igor Nacinovic – Head of City Department of Sports in Rijeka, Mr Zrinko Custonja – President of CASF and European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016, Mr Aleksandar Susnjar – President of the Student’s council in Rijeka and Mr Marko Zunic – NUSA representative.



On behalf of the Organizing Committee participants were first welcomed by its President Mr Haris Pavletic. EUSA Executive Committee member Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas also welcomed everyone and wished all the teams and participants who came to test their skills and abilities great competitions and all the best. He also thanked the Organizing Committee for all their contributions.



The European University Sports Association (EUSA) is represented by EC member Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, Sports Manager Mr Patrik Perosa and Technical Delegate for Taekwondo Mr Fatih Catikkas. Together the Organising Committee and team of volunteers helped ensure the event ran smoothly. 



The Competition is hosting 150 participants, representing 48 Universities from 16 countries. The Championship is taking place between November 10 and 13, 2015 in Opatija and Rijeka.



The event is organized by Rijeka University Sports Association and Croatian Academic Sports Federation with contribution of City of Opatija, European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016 and Student’s council in Rijeka. Rijeka University Sports Association has a long tradition of hosting such events starting with the 7th European Universities Volleyball Championship in 2007, Handball in 2011 and Bridge in 2013.


The 4th European Universities Taekwondo Championship in Opatija has concluded on November 13, 2015 with the final matches and a Closing Ceremony in Athletic Hall Kantrida. 



During the Championship, a special reception was organised by the Rector of the University of Rijeka Mr Pero Lucin. The reception was attended by EUSA Executive Committee member Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, EUSA Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik and EUG2016 Project Manager Mr Nikola Vincetic.



In presence of participants and invited guests, medals and awards were presented by EUSA Sports Manager Mr Patrik Perosa, EUSA representative Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, Technical Delegate Mr Fatih Catikkas, Medical Commission member Ms Abosede Ajayi and Vice-President of Rijeka University Sports Association Mr Viktor Moretti.



The Best University award was given to University of Minho. Award was presented by Mrs Snjezana Prijic Samarzija, Vice-Rector of University of Rijeka.



In the end, the EUSA flag was passed to Mr Mario Santos on behalf of the organisers of the next European Universities Taekwondo Championship, which will take place in Coimbra, Portugal in 2017. Everyone is warmly welcomed to join the next 5th European Universities Taekwondo Championship.



Participants also had a chance to meet Hrki, the mascot of the next European Universities Games Zagreb-Rijeka 2016. During the EUG2016, taekwondo competitions will also be held in Rijeka.

FINAL STANDING MEN:
- 54 kg: Alejandro Juarez Sanchez, Pompeu Fabra University (ESP)
- 58 kg: Meisam Rafiei, Reykjavik University (ISL)
- 63 kg: Nuno Costa, University of Minho (POR)
- 68 kg: Mario Silva, University of Minho (POR)
- 74 kg: Julio Ferreira, University of Minho (POR)
- 80 kg: Dinko Segedin, University of Split (CRO)
- 87 kg: Armin Gredic, University of Sarajevo (BIH)
+ 87 kg: Christoph Decker, University of Innsbruck (AUT)

FINAL STANDING WOMEN:
- 46 kg: Suemeyye Iloglu, Uludag University (TUR)
- 49 kg: Irene Pasiouli, University of Cyprus (CYP)
- 53 kg: Julia Ronken, German Sport University (GER)
- 57 kg: Hatice Kubra Ilgun, Uludag University (TUR)
- 62 kg: Marilena Werth, German Sport University Cologne (GER)
- 67 kg: Tamara Gakovic, University of Stuttgart (GER)
- 73 kg: Jasna Gamber, National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts Paris (FRA)

More info can be found at http://opatija2015.uniri.hr and on the Facebook page of the event.