The heavyweights took to the stage, showcasing top judo talent, with many young judoka competing for glory on the third day of the Zagreb Judo Grand Prix in Croatia’s capital.
At -90kg, it looked as if the contest would go to Golden Score, but Hungary’s Peter Safrany avoided an attack and turned it into a hold down to his advantage. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock he held his way to his first Grand Prix gold medal.
IJF Vice President Dr Laszlo Toth awarded the medals.
“I’m really happy, thank you very much. This is my second time to win here a competition because five years ago I won the Cadet European Cup here in Zagreb and after I won here my first Grand Prix,” Safrany said.
At -78kg, Dutch judoka Sanne van Dijke was competing in her new weight class for the first time and she proved that she fits right in. A new start began with a gold medal for the experienced World and Olympic medalist.
IJF Education Director Dr Sanda CORAK awarded the medals.
“It has given me the insight that if I’m going to move up to 78s I do have to expand my judo a little bit because I think with the judo I get away with in the 70s because I’ma lot stronger I don’t really get away with it with these girls but that’s exciting as well because you’re never done learning are you,” van Dijke said.
At -100kg, Ukraine’s Anton Savytskiy earned his first Grand Prix gold medal. A waza-ari score was enough for him to stand on the top spot of the podium.
Harvest Group CEO Mr Almaz ALSENOV awarded the medals.
At +78kg, France’s Coralie Hayme took her first gold medal at a Grand Prix. An osoto- gari followed by a hold down scored her waza-ari-awasete-ippon to win the contest.
IJF Media & Judo for Peace Director Mr Nicolas MESSNER awarded the medals.
For Japanese judoka Kanta Nakano at +100kg it was his third outing on the World Judo Tour and it was here that he finally struck gold. A huge ippon to close out the event.
IJF General Treasurer Mr Naser AL TAMIMI awarded the medals.
The Croatian judoka showed great talent and determination and the crowd rewarded them with local fans loving the home grown talent.
