It starts from the tatami mats in Portugal on World Tour of judo 2022.
The local judokas took up the challenge on an exciting first day at Almada Grand Prix.
With a great footwork, Catarina Costa (-48 kg) got the better of her Korean opponent and conquered the first gold medal this year, as well as Portugal’s first in the tournament.
She is our woman of the day.
Jorge Fernandes, president of the Portuguese Judo Federation, did the honors and proudly handed the gold medal to Costa.
Under 60 kilograms, the Korean Lee Harim defeated the Azerbaijani Grand Slam champion Aghayev with a winning morote seoi nage.
He received his medal from Juan Carlos Barcos, director of international relations of the International Judo Federation.
The Olympic champion Distria Krasniqi It collects its first gold since it passed the weight category up to 52 kg. He starts the year with an incredible exploit and with the hope of collecting a new series of victories in the category.
Krasniqi was awarded by the president of the Portuguese Institute for Sports and Youth, Vítor Pataco.
Our man of the day is the Moldovan Denis Vieru (-66 kg) who proved too strong an opponent for the Swiss Waizenegger: two decisive waza-ari awarded him gold in the category up to 66 kilograms.
The medals were presented by Mohammed Meridja, IJF Education & Coaching Director.
Winning again, Raphael Silva (-57 kg) took his 7th Grand Prix title in the up to 57 kg category, beating Dutchman Pleuni Cornelisse with a massive hip strike.
Carlos Paula Cardoso, President of the Sports Confederation of Portugal, awarded the winner.
In the tweet of the Brazilian Federation: “The 1st podium of Brazilian Judo in 2022 couldn’t be better! Play the Brazilian anthem! It’s gold for __ @ Rafaelasilvaa“.
The ippons who wowed the Portuguese audience came from local athletes: from young judokas like Goncalo Oliviera, who showed beautiful footwork and great power, to established Portuguese stars like Telma Monteiro.
A great start for the next two days of Grand Prix in Portugal.
