Welcome to the third day of the Zagreb Judo Grand Prix 2024! Today, the biggest stars of the heavyweight categories take to the stage, as well as many young judokas competing for glory.
In the under 90kg category, it looked like the fight would come down to the Golden Score, but Hungary’s Péter Sáfrány avoided an attack and turned it into a hold down to his advantage. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, he held on to claim his first Grand Prix gold medal! IJF Vice-President Laszlo Toth presented the medals.
“I am really happy, thank you very much. This is the second time I have won a competition here. Five years ago I won the Cadet European Cup here in Zagreb and after that I won my first Grand Prix here.” enthused Péter Sáfrány after his match.
In the under 78 kg category, Dutch judoka Sanne van Dijke competed for the first time in her new weight category and immediately proved that she belonged. A new start with a gold medal for the world and Olympic medallist. IJF Education Director Sanda Čorak presented the medals.
“It made me realize that if I want to move up to 78kg, I have to expand my judo a little bit. I think with the judo I do in the 70kg, because I’m much stronger, I don’t really get by with these girls, but it’s also exciting because you never stop learning.” said Sanne van Dijke after her match.
In the under 100 kg category, Ukraine’s Anton Savytskiy won his first Grand Prix gold medal. A waza-ari was enough for him to climb to the top step of the podium. Harvest Group CEO Almaz Alsenov presented the medals.
In the over 78 kg category, Frenchwoman Coralie Hayme won her first gold medal in a Grand Prix. A huge joy for the French judoka! The IJF Media and Judo for Peace Director, Nicolas Messner, presented the medals.
In the over 100kg category, Japanese judoka Kanta Nakano celebrates his participation in the World Judo Tour with a gold medal. A huge ippon to close the event. IJF Treasurer General Naser Al Tamimi presented the medals.
