Champions winning new medals, new judokas in the spotlight and an emotional farewell on the second day of the Tbilisi Grand Slam
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The second day of the Grand Slam in the city of Tbilisi provided another exciting spectacle for judo fans from all over the world. As already happened on the first day, a large Georgian crowd came to cheer their idols inside the arena.
In the -63 kg, number one in the world Catherine BEAUCHEMIN-PINARD she once again reached the final of the world tour, in which she faced Angelika SZYMANSKA. The Canadian judoka managed to overcome her opponent by landing a waza-ari which allowed her to win the gold. IJF Sports Director Michael TAMURA presented the medals.
The home favourite, the 2012 Olympic champion and 2021 world champion Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI he stepped onto the tatami in -73 kg. He faced the less famous Karen GALSTIAN in the final and won the gold medal, to the delight of the fans, thanks to an absolutely masterful shooting technique. The medals were presented to him by a satisfied president of the Georgian Judo Federation, Giorgi ATABEGASHVILI.
“When I compete in front of my audience – commented Shavdatuashvili – I have no right to lose. There is only victory, no other results. I focus only on victory. Credit goes to my supporters, who always help me by giving me extra motivation I always have to fight to the end to make my people happy, to give everything for my country. And of course I am very happy with today’s victory, achieved in front of my people.”
The final in the -70 kg category saw the top two in the world Sanne Van Dijke and Barbara MATIC. An exploit by the latter allowed her to prevail over the Dutch athlete, thus ensuring victory. The medal was presented by Chafik EL KETTANI, member of the IJF Medical Commission. “It’s very nice because I liked my performance, all in a very good atmosphere, with incessant cheering. I really like being here, I think it’s my lucky place!”, declared Matic at the end of the match .
Timur ARBUZOV instead he won gold in the -81 kg category. This is the first victory for the nineteen-year-old judoka. The medals were awarded by the IJF Director of Referees, Armen BAGDASAROV.
A mixture of pride and emotion ran through Georgian fans during a special ceremony organized to celebrate the commitment and achievements of TCHRIKISHVILI of Avtandili. The judoka himself spoke, together with the president of the Georgian Judo Federation Giorgi ATABEGASHVILI. Tchrikishvili is one of Georgia’s most successful athletes: he was world champion in 2014 and three-time European champion. At 33, he announced his retirement from competition. A farewell in style for a legend.
But it was the entire Georgian team that thrilled the fans. See you on Sunday for the third day of the Tbilisi Grand Slam.
2024-03-23 19:24:38
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