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Judo Grand Prix in Dushanbe: Tajik final delights spectators

In Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the second day of the Judo Grand Prix took place on Saturday. In the final up to 81 kg, the fans were treated to a very special treat.

In the weight category up to 63 kg, the young Croatian Katarina Kristo made it onto the international stage with a bang. She defeated her Spanish opponent Sarai Padilla Guerrero and won her first ever Grand Prix gold.

“I’ve never seen a crowd like this, at the World Championships or anywhere else,” Kristo said after her success. This is a very special place, she said. “I feel very welcome here with all the spectators. I am not from their country and they still cheered me on,” for which she said she was very grateful.

In the weight category up to 73 kg Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov met the house favourite Behruzi Khojazoda. Makhmadbekov quickly got to grips with his opponent – the final was quickly over.

In the 70 kg category Margaux Pinot from France scored in the first ten seconds of the final with this lightning fast attack against Katarzyna Sobierajska from Poland.

Two Tajik judoka faced each other in the final up to 81 kg. Somon Makhmadbekov eventually won the duel against Shodmon Rizoev.

“I think you can say it was a final between brothers,” Makhmadbekov said afterwards. “We see each other all the time, we train a lot together in the same club, we are brothers. “

The spectators in the arena in Dushanbe experienced another spectacular judo evening, the atmosphere was excellent.

On Sunday, the world number 1, Temur Rakhimov, will also compete – in the weight category over 100 kg.

By Julian