the IJF Judo Grand Slam is in sunny Antalya and the stars of international judo compete!
In the women’s 48kg category, Narantsetseg Ganbaatar won an all-Mongolian final in which both athletes showed great sportsmanship. The Treasurer General of the IJF, Naser Al Tamimi, presented the medals.
Olympic silver medalist Yang Yung Wei of Taiwan defeated former world champion Lukhumi Chkvimiani of Georgia with a shoulder throw to claim his second Grand Slam gold since the Olympics. Taiwan Ambassador to Turkey Volkan Chih-Yang Huang presented the medals.
Pupp Reka showed unbelievable stamina in the final up to 52 kg. After losing a score, she managed to turn the tables on her Uzbek opponent and win with ippon. She received her gold medal from the hands of Fatih Uysal, Head of the Sports Department at the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Moldovan Denis Vieru had a great day on his way to the final. He won that with a tactical win over Brazilian Willian Lima. Vladimir Barta, Sport Director of the IJF, presented the medals
In the weight class up to 57kg, reigning world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Jessica Klimkait was in top form in her first competition since the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The gold medal was presented to her by IJF event director Dr. Presented to Lisa Allan
The best throw of the day came from the young Turkish girl Sila Ersin, who threw the experienced Shira Rishony with a strong Uchi-Mata. She took the Israelis by surprise and gave the Turkish home team their moment to celebrate, rounding off the perfect end of the first Grand Slam day in Antalya.
