The Judo Grand Slam in Astana: Exciting Matches and Victories Before the Olympic Games

Welcome to Astana, Kazakhstan, which this weekend hosts the last stage of the Judo Grand Slam before the Olympic Games. Inside the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, the crowd eagerly awaited the performances of their favorite judokas.

In the under 48 kg category, Galiya Tynbayeva delighted the local audience by qualifying for the final. She twice caught her opponent Sabina Giliazova with cleverly timed techniques and won her first ever gold medal.

Chairman of the Sports and Physical Culture Committee of Kazakhstan Yerbol Myrzabossynov awarded the medals

“It was crazy because when I walked into the arena there were 1,000 people shouting ‘Galiya Galiya’. I felt the pressure but then I said to myself: I have to win, I’m going to win. said Galiya Tynbayeva after her match.

In the -60 kg category, Ramazan Abdulaev offered a spectacular final! Executing a magnificent juji-gatame, he made his opponent Yang submit and thus won his third Grand Slam gold medal. He received his medal from Harvest Group CEO Almaz Alsenov.

In those under 52 kg. Gefen Primo started the day as the top seed. In the final, she defeated Larissa Pimenta with a superb ashi-waza, continuing on ground to secure the complete victory by ippon. She received her medal from the IFJ General Secretary, Lisa Allan.

In the under 66 kg category, Murad Chopanov won gold after a spectacular match. The medals were presented by IFJ Director General Vlad Marinescu.

The -57 kg category resulted in a Pan-American Grand Slam final, with Christa Deguchi and Rafaela Silva battling for the top spot on the podium. It was ultimately Christa Deguchi who won it. She received the gold medal from Armen Bagdasarov, Director of Chief Referees of the International Judo Federation.

“So this is my first time in Kazakastan, and it was nice to fight in a place that loves judo, I’m happy to show them the gold medal” exclaimed Christa Deguchi after her match.

Another highlight for the home crowd came in the -60kg category, where Kazakh judo legend and 2015 world champion Yeldos Smetov proved he was returning to top form. Spectacular performances all day to win bronze for his home country.

2024-05-10 19:53:53
#spectacular #debut #Astana #Judo #Grand #Slam