SPORTS DESK
Islamabad (September 27, 2021):-After Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Zagreb Grand Prix, has ended successfully in Croatia. It was a very positive event, one which saw the advent of a new generation of athletes, some of whom will undoubtedly be in Paris in 2024, while others are already in the preparation phase for the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
While these global events may seem far away, in reality things are slightly different. From May next year, the new Olympic qualification period will begin and from then on all efforts will be focused on the world circuit for gaining those valuable points. In the meantime, the Zagreb Grand Prix was a perfect test, in many ways.
First of all and this is undoubtedly the most important for the athletes, while we are still in a pandemic period, judo is continuing in a good way. The safety and health of all is ensured, thanks to the health policy implemented by the IJF. Zagreb made it possible to reinforce this further.
On the other hand, despite the logical absence of many heroes of the Japanese summer, the judo offered by all the judoka present was of a very high level, which heralds an exciting season for fans of our sport.
Medal table of the Zagreb Grand Prix, Croatia 2021
-90kg: MEHDIYEV Wins second Gold for Azerbaijan
Being under the pressure of having two penalties against him, Mammadali MEHDIYEV nevertheless, was the first and last to score, with a precise ko-soto-gake for ippon, leaving no escape possible for MAISURADZE. This is the second gold medal of the event for Azerbaijan.
In the first bronze medal contest Wachid BORCHASHVILI (AUT), whose brother was Olympic bronze medallist this summer in Tokyo, faced Stanislav GUNCHENKO (UKR), who had no record at this level of competition, so far. A minute and 49 seconds of the golden score period were necessary for Wachid BORCHASHVILI to score ippon after a very close match that was only decided with penalties.
With four grand prix bronze medals to his name already, Jesper SMINK (NED) had the possibility to add one more, competing against KHALMURZAEV Khusen (RUS), silver medallist at the Tashkent Grand Prix in 2019 and twin brother of 2016 Olympic Champion Khassan KHALMURZAEV. The latter won the bronze medal after his opponent received a third shido, one second before the end of the match, for a false attack, a mistake that cost him that final step on to the podium.
Final
MEHDIYEV Mammadali (AZE) vs MAISURADZE Luka (GEO)
Bronze Medal Contests
BORCHASHVILI Wachid (AUT) vs GUNCHENKO Stanislav (UKR)
SMINK Jesper (NED) vs KHALMURZAEV Khusen (RUS)
Final Results
1. MEHDIYEV Mammadali (AZE)
2. MAISURADZE Luka (GEO)
3. BORCHASHVILI Wachid (AUT)
3. KHALMURZAEV Khusen (RUS)
5. GUNCHENKO Stanislav (UKR)
5. SMINK Jesper (NED)
7. KALJULAID Klen Kristofer (EST)
7. GOZ Roland (HUN)
-78kg: A Smiley Victory for STEVENSON
Number 41 in the world, Sophie BERGER (BEL) and Teresa ZENKER (GER), ranked 50, were the contenders for the first bronze medal. It took more than three minutes for ZENKER to win with a waza-ari throw followed immediately by an immobilisation for ippon, but the German clearly dominated her opponent throughout the match. This is the first medal in a grand prix for the German competitor.
The 2019 junior world silver medallist Renee VAN HARSELAAR (NED) faced the winner of the 2021 Sarajevo European Open Emma REID (GBR), for the second bronze medal. After two minutes REID took the lead with a sumi-gaeshi for waza-ari and then went to work on the floor, freeing her leg and pinning VAN HARSELAAR for ippon to win her first medal at a grand prix.
Final
STEVENSON Karen (NED) vs BROLIH Patricija (SLO)
Bronze Medal Contests
BERGER Sophie (BEL) vs ZENKER Teresa (GER)
VAN HARSELAAR Renee (NED) vs REID Emma (GBR)
Final Results
1. STEVENSON Karen (NED)
2. BROLIH Patricija (SLO)
3. ZENKER Teresa (GER)
3. REID Emma (GBR)
5. BERGER Sophie (BEL)
5. VAN HARSELAAR Renee (NED)
7. DZIOPA Paulina (POL)
7. SCHMID Lea (GER)
-100kg: ADAMIAN Wins First Gold for Russia
Arman ADAMIAN (RUS) produced his biggest effort in the semi-final against former world champion for Cuba Asley GONZALEZ, now competing under the Romanian flag. After a very close match, ADAMIAN had to wait until golden score to eventually notch up a waza-ari. In the final he was opposed to KURBJEWEIT GARCIA Dario (GER), who only had a fifth place in a grand prix to his name before the start of the Zagreb event.
The host country had another chance to win a medal, with Marko KUMRIC (CRO) who faced Asley GONZALEZ (ROU) for a bronze. This was not an easy task but Marko KUMRIC, fully supported by a teammate present in the stands, delivered a great performance, scoring a waza-ari with sumi-gaeshi, probably the technique of the day and then keeping his advantage until the end. KUMRIC won the second medal for the home nation here in Zagreb.
23 year old Falk PETERSILKA (GER) competed against the winner of the Kazan Grand Slam this season, Simeon CATHARINA (NED), also 23 years old. Eri-seoi-otoshi and kata guruma combined for the winning ticket for Simeon CATHARINA to earn the bronze medal.
Final
ADAMIAN Arman (RUS) vs KURBJEWEIT GARCIA Dario (GER)
Bronze Medal Contests
PETERSILKA Falk (GER) vs CATHARINA Simeon (NED)
KUMRIC Marko (CRO) vs GONZALEZ Asley (ROU)
Final Results
1. ADAMIAN Arman (RUS)
2. KURBJEWEIT GARCIA Dario (GER)
3. CATHARINA Simeon (NED)
3. KUMRIC Marko (CRO)
5. PETERSILKA Falk (GER)
5. GONZALEZ Asley (ROU)
7. ZEKAJ Shpati (KOS)
