A Spectacular Finish to the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam
Poinews.com – The culmination of the Judo Grand Slam in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, brought forth a series of high-stakes matches at the Steppe Arena. The event drew a passionate local audience, eager to witness the concluding moments of the competition. Several prominent judokas from around the globe participated, aiming to secure qualification points for the upcoming Los Angeles tournament.
-90kg: A Dominant Triumph
MURAO Sanshiro, the reigning world champion, advanced seamlessly to the final, facing off against KIM Jonghoon. His performance in the -90kg category was marked by effortless control, culminating in a pinfall that earned him his ninth Grand Slam title. The medals were presented by Mr Nicolas MESSNER, the International Judo Federation’s Media and Judo for Peace Director.
-78kg: Youth Prevails Over Experience
In the -78kg final, a youthful clash occurred between Audrey TCHEUMEO, aged 36, and Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO, 22. Despite TCHEUMEO’s seasoned background, LYTVYNENKO’s tenacity proved decisive, outlasting her opponent. The gold medal was awarded by General Treasurer of the International Judo Federation, Mr Naser AL TAMIMI.
-100kg: Activity Over Strategy
Gennaro PIRELLI and Idar BIFOV contested the -100kg final, where PIRELLI’s aggressive approach edged him ahead. His gold medal was handed over by Mr Sergey SOLOVEYCHIK, President of the Russian Judo Federation. The competition saw a balance of technical skill and physical intensity, with PIRELLI’s dominance securing his victory.
+78kg: A Clash of Styles
The +78kg final was highly anticipated, pitting ARAI Mao against Romane DICKO. ARAI’s tactical prowess shone through as she forced a submission with a well-executed hold. The medals were presented by Mr Ganbaatar DAGVADORJ, President of the MAX group and Partner of the Mongolian Judo Association.
+100kg: A Dominant Day for Kim
KIM Minjong concluded his performance with a commanding win over Irakli DEMETRASHVILI in the +100kg division. This victory marked a standout day for the former world champion, who claimed the heavyweight title. The final gold medal was awarded by Mr Vladimir BARTA, Head Sport Director of the International Judo Federation.
Thank you to Mongolia for hosting this exceptional event. The next competition, a Grand Prix in Qingdao, China, will take place next week.
