Opening of the highly anticipated world judo championships in Abu Dhabi this Sunday. The opportunity for the greatest judokas to add their names to the list of prizes of the prestigious competition and to prepare for the Paris Olympic Games.
In -48kg, the Italian double world bronze medalist, Assunta Scutto, qualified for the final after a great day. On the other side of the table, the Mongolian Baasankhuu Bavuudorj also achieved a flawless performance. In a tense final, it was she who knew how to seize the right opportunity at the end of the fight, taking advantage of a failed attack to counter and win her first world title.
The mayor of the Italian city of Olbia, Settimo Nizzi, was present to present the medals.
“I am very happy. It’s my first medal at the world championships and it’s a gold medal. I would like to thank all my coaches and all the people of my country”stated Baasankhuu Bavuudorj.
In the men’s -60 kg category, top seed Yung Wei Yang reached the final without much difficulty. His opponent, the young and explosive Georgian Giorgi Sardalashvili, who impressed with spectacular ippons throughout the day. In the final, he managed to counter an attack from Yang to score waza-ari and become at 20 the most world champion in the history of his country.
The medals were presented by Tania Missoni, member of the board of directors of Missoni Ltd.
“I am world champion. It was my big dream since I was little. I don’t know what happened, but I’m world champion. I wanted to be able to wear the red bib of the world champions, it’s done”said Giorgi Sardalashvili.
In -52 kg, Uzbek Diyora Keldiyorova upheld her status as favorite by gaining momentum to reach the final. There she found the experienced Italian Odette Giuffrida, also in great shape. In a tense fight, the latter showed off her trademark footwork, making her opponent fall to win. Immense emotion for Odette Giuffrida who finally won a first world title at 29 years old.
Frenchwoman Amandine Buchard won a bronze medal.
David Lappartient, IOC member and president of the International Cycling Union, distributed the medals.
“Abu Dhabi is magical for me. When I arrived here, I said to myself, maybe the magic hasn’t disappeared, I’m going to do everything to win and today it worked again. It works well for me here,” said Odette Giuffrida.
See you all week for the rest of these worlds.
2024-05-19 21:39:30
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