Eteri Liparteliani faced former world champion Jessica Klimkait in the final to win the gold medal.
Judo stars from around the world have arrived in Georgian capital Tbilisi for its highly anticipated edition of the Judo Grand Slam.
The emblematic event was held at the Olympic Sports Palace.
In the -48 kg category, Korean Hyekyeong Lee beat Frenchwoman Laura Espadinha thanks to a superb and weak Ura-nage scored by ippon to win the title.
IFJ Director of Education and Training, Mohammed Meridja, was on hand to present the medals.
In the -60 kg category, Nurkanat Serikbayev faced Yam Wolczak in the final. A sacrifice technique proved to be the deciding factor for Serikbayev as he scored waza-ari near the end of the match and held on for the victory.
He received his medal from Shengeli Pitskhelauri, Deputy Head of the State Security Service of Georgia.
“So this is the first competition in Tbilisi for me. And it was successful. I am very happy with this. I love the city. It’s very nice and friendly,” Serikbayev said.
En -52 kg, Ariane Toro Soler affrontait Ana Viktorija Puljiz.
It took until the Golden Score, but Toro Soler gathered his strength to produce a huge Uchi-mata and win the gold medal.
She received her medal from Juan Carlos Barcos, IFJ coordinator for international refereeing seminars.
“I like being here because I won gold, but it’s a good city and it’s nice to stay here. It’s really good that people like judo, because it’s nice to see that they love this sport,” said Toro Soler.
Ivan Chernykh surprised everyone in the -66kg category by winning the gold medal in his first appearance at the IJF World Judo Circuit.
The medals were presented by Massimiliano D’Antuono, Italian Ambassador to Georgia.
Then came the moment that all Georgian fans were waiting for.
In the -57 kg category, local favorite Eteri Liparteliani reached the final where she will face former world champion Jessica Klimkait of Canada.
To the delight of the crowd, Liparteliani scored early in the fight and fought valiantly until the clock ran out.
She received the gold medal from Irakli Medzmariashvili, MP of Georgia.
There are still two days of judo left.
2024-03-23 00:38:28
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