The Moldovan judo players were eliminated from the European Championship that was held in Hungary. Neither the current leaders of the national squad, Marcel Trudov and Valeriu Duminica, managed to win medals, IPN reports.

Trudov was eliminated from the competition at the preliminary stage of the 73kg weight class. He beat Eetu Laamanen of Finland and Zymer Zeka, who represented the International Judo Federation, but was then defeated by Russia’s Musa Mogushkov.

Valeriu Duminica lost the very first battle to Srdjan Mrvaljevic of Montenegro, in the 81 kg class. Eugeniu Vreme (66 kg), Igor Soroca (73 kg), Tatiana Osoianu (48 kg, women’s), and Ana Repida (63 kg) had the same fate.

Radu Malcic and Eugen Coreac will compete on April 27, both in the up to 100 kg class.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sport started an inquiry that involves judokas Sergiu Toma, Victor Scvortsov and Ion Remarenko. They have performed for the United Arab Emirates since 2013. “The Ministry officially suspends the relations with the National Judo Federation. This means that there will be provided no financing and logistic support,” said Acting Minister of Youth and Sport Octavian Ticu. He demanded suspending the Federation’s head Veaceslav Manolachi from the post.