Canadian judoka Jessica Klimkait secured the gold medal in the women’s -63 kg division on Saturday at the Zagreb Grand Prix held at Arena Zagreb in Croatia, defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer Zabkar with a waza-ari in the final seconds.
“Ha sido estupendo. La última vez que estuve aquí fue en 2019, así que ha pasado bastante tiempo. Es bonito volver y sentir un poco de nostalgia, ver al público y volver a ver Zagreb. Aquí siempre se está muy bien,” Klimkait told Yahoo Noticias.
Dr. Krešimir ŠAMIJA, representing the Prime Minister of Croatia, presented the medals for the division.
Georgia’s Giorgi Loladze captured the -73 kg crown after defeating Ireland’s Joshua Green in their first-ever Grand Prix final, securing the victory with a single yuko.
“Estoy muy contento con mi actuación. Había muchísima gente y el ambiente estaba cargado de emoción. No sé cómo describir lo que siento ahora mismo.”
The Georgian ambassador to Croatia, Zaal Gogsadze, presented the medals for the -73 kg category.
In the women’s -70 kg final, Brazil’s Nauana Silva defeated Poland’s Aleksandra Kowalewska to earn her first-ever Grand Prix gold medal after previously holding four podium finishes in the circuit. Krešimir MAKVIĆ, representing the mayor of Zagreb, presented the medals.
François Gauthier Drapeau added Canada’s second gold medal of the day by defeating his opponent in the men’s -81 kg category with a foot sweep during the golden score period.
Tina Trstenjak, director of referees of the International Judo Federation, presented the medals for the division.
Croatia’s Iva Oberan also earned a bronze medal in front of the home crowd, contributing to a day of heavy local support at the venue.
Competition continues on Sunday with the heavyweight categories for the third and final day of the Zagreb Grand Prix.
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