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Judo Grand Prix in Zagreb: Dutchmen hung on for gold

The final day of the Judo Grand Prix in Zagreb was dominated by Dutch judoka.

But first a Georgian success: Beka Gviniashvili took on Rafael Macedo from Brazil in the final of the weight category up to 90 kilograms. Gviniashvili won his 26th World Tour medal and his twelfth gold, which was presented to him by Laszlo Toth, the president of the European Judo Federation.

Powell: “The icing on the cake “

Natalie Powell from Great Britain against Inbar Lanir from Israel was the fight for gold in the weight category up to 78 kilograms. The clash between the two was decided on the ground. Powell had her opponent under control, Lanir had to give up.

For Powell, it was her first victory in a World Tour competition since January 2020, and the former World Championship bronze medallist received the reward from the hands of Sanda Čorak, president of the Croatian Judo Federation.

“This was really special because this was the last competition where I was coached by my coach who worked with me for eight years. The gold medal with Darren Warner by my side was the icing on the cake,” Powell said.

Korrel won’t be surprised again

European champion Michael Korrel from the Netherlands proved his splendid condition in Zagreb. In the men’s up to 100 kilograms he entered the gold medal match and had to face Ilia Sulamanidze from Georgia. The decision was made in a flash. Korrel brought his opponent to the ground and received a Waza-Ari score, which was worth gold.

Skander Hachicha, the sports director of the World Judo Federation presented the medals.

Korrel said, “Knowing and seeing a fighter is one thing. The other thing is to then actually lay hands on him to feel where the danger is. In Tel Aviv, he surprised me with an attack. So there was no way he was going to do that again. He tried. I had the chance to win a little later than in the semi-final, but I was able to close it out well. “

Hershko and Spijkkers win at heavyweight

In the women’s over 78 kilograms, Raz Hershko of Israel won against Milica Zabic of Serbia. Armen Bagdasarov, head referee of the World Federation, presented the medals.

In the men’s over 100 kilograms, Jur Spijkkers from the Netherlands prevailed. The 25-year-old European champion already won last year in Zagreb.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation, was responsible for honouring the winner.

The Croatian Judo Federation did not win any precious metal on the final day of the Grand Prix, but received a lot of praise for the organisation of the competition weekend.

By Klaus