Jennika Vainio fought for European champion in Athens.
Helsinki native Jennika Vainio took the Finns’ third gold medal from the European kickboxing championships in Athens. Vainio defeated Slovakia in the final of the K1 category over 70 kg series Alexandra Filipova with a score of 3-0.
In K1 matches, unlike other match formats, you can also kick with a knee to the body and head and use a turning punch.
Vainio, representing Combat Academy of Finlandia, is last year’s World Championship silver medalist. Ranked number one in the world, Vainio progressed directly to the semi-finals in the European Championships, where he defeated Holland by Naomi van de Belt 3-0.
– Years of long-term work is finally rewarded. My strength in the final was definitely that I am a versatile fighter, I had good movement and a strong will to win, Vainio said in the Potkunyrkkeilyliito press release.
On Friday Axis Saurama and Viljami Peltonen fought for EC gold in a full contact match format. In addition to the three championships, the Finns won one silver and two bronze medals at the European Championships.