REMARKABLE COMMITMENT TO MORE VALUE

It’s a busy weekend at the 2024 Slovenj Gradec Junior European Cup, where among the 34 participating nations, three are from the Pan-American region: Argentina, Canada and the USA. The latter secured a remarkable bronze medal on the first day of competition through Lenny SHEYNFELD in the -66 kg category. We had the opportunity to speak to him after the medal ceremony.

Let’s get straight to it: your first European Cup medal, how do you feel?

I feel good. I wish it was a gold medal, but I’m proud of my first European Championship medal. None of this would have been possible without the amazing support I received, including my parents, teammates and my coaches. But I’m aiming higher, so it’s a good start.

The Pan American region has its own junior tour, where you won silver at the Montreal Junior Cup last year. What are the reasons for traveling to Europe and would you say that today’s bronze medal is more valuable?

I believe the level of judo here is higher than in the Pan American region and I enjoy fighting against Europeans more based on stylistic comparisons and yes, that is definitely worth more than silver at the Pan American Cup. The main goal of coming to Europe is to compete and train at a higher level. I spent a week in Italy at the Green Camp and then another week in Valencia, Spain. Next week I will compete in the Junior European Cup in Prague. On July 8th I will go home for a week and then to Japan for a month of training. My goal is to get better every day and do what my coaches tell me. Whether that is a competition or training, I will do it.

Lenny’s dedication speaks for itself and began with him moving from his hometown of New York to Saugus, Massachusetts, which allows him to now train at Pedro’s Judo Center. You’re spoiled for choice with the likes of Jimmy Pedro, Travis Stevens, Tyler Yonemori and Kelita Zupancic. How does it feel to have such a credible support system?

I’m definitely spoiled (he smiles). It’s an honor and something that most people don’t have and I’m aware of that, so I’m super thankful and grateful to all of them, including my strength coach Scotty. That motivates me a lot, I know the level in the room and I want to get to that level, so it pushes me forward every single step of the way.

Lenny is not alone on this European tour, as he is accompanied by his teammates Alex SEMENENKO and Domenico TERNULLO. In addition to the Pan-American visitors, other non-European countries also took part in this event, such as Kazakhstan and Lebanon. Although it is a European Cup, the field of participants spans the entire world, which Dr. TOTH Laszlo, the President of the European Judo Union, highlighted after the event:

The fact that we have athletes from different parts of the world making great efforts to participate in our event is incredible and commendable. We are very grateful for their presence and for being able to welcome them to our events and give them and all European judoka the opportunity to develop. This weekend we have a large number of registrations and I must add that the organization of this event is also of a high level. I am very satisfied with the quality offered to all the teams participating in this event.

Author: Szandra Szogedi

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