Nils Stump won the -73 kg final at the Grand Slam in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Saturday.
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Continuation of the Judo Grand Slam in Dushanbe in Tajikistan this Saturday. The capital of the country, located at the foot of the Pamir mountain range and with a rich culture, welcomes the world of judo and its values of respect for three days.
The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali, President of the Tajik Judo Federation Ismoil Mahmadzoir and Director General of the International Judo Federation IJF Vlad Marinescu.
Before the start of the fights, the Tajik judokas went to meet the young fans.
New contracts have also been signed to ensure Dushanbe’s presence on the international judo scene in the coming years.
In the women’s category, in -63 kg, the Austrian Lubjana Piovesana won in the final against Dali Liluashvili thanks to a waza-ari.
The medals were presented by IFJ Director of Education and Coaching Mohammed Meridja.
“It’s one of the most passionate crowds and that helped me a lot in the final. I had never experienced that before. It really motivated me to feel that atmosphere, it pushed me to give the best of myself”said Lubjana Piovesana.
In the men’s category, in -73 kg, the reigning Swiss world champion, Nils Stump, upheld the hierarchy in the final against local champion Behruzi Khojazoda, despite pressure from the public. A good way to prepare for the Worlds which will take place at the end of the month.
Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali distributed the medals.
“I knew there would be a lot of noise, Tajiks are really crazy about judo. But I tried to focus on myself and of course I’m sad that Behruzi couldn’t win in front of his home crowd”said Nils Stump.
For women, in -70 kg, new Austrian medal with the success of Michaela Polleres, her third Grand Slam victory.
The medals were distributed by IJF Refereeing Director Armen Bagdasarov.
In the men’s category, in -81 kg, the Austrian Wachid Borchashvili lost in the final against the young Japanese Yoshito Hojo.
Shohei Ono, double Olympic champion and triple world champion, presented the medals.
The public was also treated to numerous ippons performed by the Tajik judokas, before a final day of Grand Slam which promises to be thrilling on Sunday.
