Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard of Canada already has Olympic and World Championship medals in her cabinet. Now she has added another Grand Slam gold medal to her collection – the fourth of her career. Who else won in Abu Dhabi? Find out here.

Who made a name for themselves on the second day of competition at the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam? Here is an overview.

David Karapetian won the final in the 81-kilogram weight class against Frank de Wit of the Netherlands. It was the first tournament victory at this level for Karapetian. The chairman of the United Arab Emirates Judo Association, Mohammed Bin Thaaloob Alderei, presented the winner with an award.

Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard of Canada already has Olympic and World Championship medals in her cabinet. Now she has added another Grand Slam gold medal to her collection – the fourth of her career. She prevailed in the 63-kilogram weight class in Abu Dhabi, with Ying Tang of China forced to admit defeat in the final.

“The throw I used was a Ura-Nage. When she attacked me, I caught her halfway. It was all from the legs. I lifted her up and spun her around in the air. It’s a great throw that I don’t use often. But when it works, it’s a decent Ippon,” said Beauchemin-Pinard.

Max-Hervé George, managing director of Icona Capital, presented the gold medal to the judoka from Canada.

In the women’s -70 kg category, Madina Taimazowa had reason to celebrate. Ida Eriksson tried in vain to prevent the bronze medalist from Tokyo from winning. Michael Michaely from CEDCO Hungary hung the medal around her neck.

Shakhram Akhmedov from Uzbekistan dominated the action in the 73-kilogram weight class. Last year, he took bronze from Abu Dhabi, and he earned gold by beating Kosovo’s Akil Gjakova, the 2021 European champion, in the final. Otabek Umarov, deputy chairman of the Asian Olympic Council, conducted the medal ceremony.

“I felt very relaxed here in Abu Dhabi – as if I were at home in Uzbekistan. I really like Abu Dhabi. Last year I won bronze here and now my first Grand Slam gold. Hopefully I will win gold in the upcoming competitions and at the Olympics in honor of Uzbekistan,” Ahadow said after his victory.

Nugzari Tatalashvili – born in Georgia but now a citizen of the United Arab Emirates – was responsible for the second medal for the local association at the Grand Slam of Abu Dhabi.

This Thursday – the third and final day of competition – the heavyweights will be on the mat.