Sports weekend

The World Judo Championships are underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Romanian news agency AGERPRES quoted the president of the Romanian Judo Federation, Cozmin Gusa, as saying that the delegation's stated aim was the winning of a medal, given that the Romanian delegation to the ongoing world championships was made of judokas of the young generation. A nine-strong Romanian delegation is in Tashkent, with six male events competitors and three other judokas competing in the women's events. Naturalized Cuban judoka, Ashely Gonzalez, former world champion and silver medalist in the London Olympics, in the 100-kilgram category, is 33 years old, whereas the other members of the Romanian delegation are around 20. Romania has not won a medal in the World Championship since 2015. We recall that back then Andreea Chitu, in the 52-kilogram category and Corina Căprioriu, in the 57-kilogram category, walked away with the silver medal.

In the Champions League in women's handball, on Sunday, CSM Bucharest play a Group A away game against Danish team Odense. CSM are 3rd-placed in Group A with 5 points, while Odense are 4th-placed with 2 points. In Group B, Rapid Bucharest play a home game against another Danish squad, Team Esbjerg. Romanian title holders Rapid are 2nd-placed in the group, with 5 points, on a par with the group leader, Metz Handball, while Esbjerg are 4th-placed, with 4 points.

In news from football, matches counting towards the Romanian Superleague's 13th round are scheduled at the weekend. On Friday, FC Voluntari play CS Mioveni, while FC  Argeș go against Universitatea Craiova. On Saturday, Universitatea Cluj receive the visit of FC Hermannstadt, the revelation of the domestic championship's first rounds. In Bucharest, Rapid are pitted against FC Botoșani. On Sunday, Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe play a home game against Farul Constanța, while in Ploiesti, the local side Petrolul face FCSB. On Monday, FC U Craiova play Chindia Targoviste, while UTA take on CFR Cluj. After 12 rounds, Farul is at the top of the table, with 27 points. Rapid is the runner-up team, with 24 points, while 3rd-placed are Hermannstadt, with 22. Defending champions CFR Cluj are 4th-placed, with 19 points. (EN)