It was a dynamic start to the 2022 Zagreb Grand Prix with the lightweight competitors battling it out for the gold medal.
The first two categories; -48kg and -60kg were dominated by the Asian Judo Union, the gold medals went to KOGA Wakana (JPN) and SHAMSHADIN Magzhan (KAZ). Although the remaining -48kg medals were spread among the Europeans, only Giorgi SARDALASHVILI (GEO) managed to secure a spot for Europe on the podium with his bronze medal win against Francisco GARRIGOS (ESP).
Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) continues to sit atop the -52kg group and reached the final against ABE Uta (JPN) for an Olympic showdown as both sported the gold patch on their backs. Krasniqi may have switched weight classes, but this was welcomed and she feels at home in the slightly heavier change. She may have been dominant during her preliminaries, but Krasniqi just couldn’t handle the Japanese Olympic champion and was defeated by a score of o soto gari and ended in osaekomi.
The remaining bronze medals went to Fabienne KOCHER (SUI) and Gefen PRIMO (ISR).
Matteo PIRAS (ITA) in the -66kg category has been around for quite some time and the 28-year-old claimed his first grand prix medal today in Zagreb, competing for gold against Tel Aviv Grand Slam finalist Yashar NAJAFOV. (AZE). It took three minutes, but Najafov found the moment for him and counterattacked his opponent, the waza ari was enough for the gold to go to Azerbaijan. This was also the only gold medal for a European country on the first day.
Today is my first gold medal in a Grand Prix and I am very happy. My preparation was very good, I had five contests and they were strong, but the strongest was Yeldos SMETOV from Kazakhstan, he is small so it was more difficult. Today was the first time I fought him and it was a good result. I was very confident today and it worked out, I think next for me is the European event in Lignano.
A great heads up was seen between Ivo VERHORSTERT (NED) and Lucian BORD DUMITRESCU (ROU). An initial marker went to the Dutchman, but he was unable to maintain the lead. The pair scored gold, and in less than a minute, Verhostert’s tani or toshi earned him the bronze medal.
In the final category of the day, -57kg, Mina LIBEER (BEL) secured a bronze medal. This is the 24-year-old’s first in a grand prix event, losing only to eventual gold medalist, Christa DEGUCHI (CAN). Facing Deguchi for the gold was Eteri LIPARTELIANI (GEO), the Georgian tried to take the lead and go on an aggressive offense, however, Deguchi bided her time, recovered and scored ippon with o uchi gari.
Not only did we see the excellent performance of our recognized athletes, but also a remarkable national award was handed out.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej PLENKOVIĆ today received an award for Leadership from the International Judo Federation, the European Judo Union and the Croatian Judo Federation. Together with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Dr. Nikolina BRNJAC, Vice President of the International Judo Federation and President of the European Judo Union Dr. László TÓTH, Vice President of the European Judo Union, Hrvoje LINDI, President of the Croatian Judo Federation Dr. Sanda ČORAK and Honorary President of the Croatian Judo Federation Tomislav ČULJAK were also present. This was in recognition of the tireless efforts of the Croatian federations to improve the economic sustainability of organizing events in their country.
Autor: Thea Cowen
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