Tashkent was already the judo capital of the world championships last year. Until Sunday, the Grand Slam will once again offer top-class sport – much to the delight of the judo-loving public in Uzbekistan.
Kim Won Jin from Korea won the gold medal in the weight category up to 60 kilograms. Kuanyshbek Yessekejew, chairman of the Judo Federation of Uzbekistan, was responsible for the award ceremony.
Kim said he wanted to savour the good result as much as possible, then prepare for the next competition and do his best to try to take the win again.
Day 1 male medallists at JudoTashkent pic.twitter.com/gg6jXxr1VL
– Judo (@Judo) March 3, 2023
Stojadinov won for a friend who had fallen ill
In the weight category up to 48 kilograms Andrea Stojadinov from Serbia celebrated. The 22-year-old had to go into overtime in the final against Portugal’s Catarina Costa, which she forced almost in the last second. Stojadinov claimed her first tournament win on the world tour and was rewarded with the gold medal by Xinjian Zhou, guest of the World Judo Federation.
“My best friend found out seven days ago that he can no longer do judo because of health problems. I promised him to fight for him. I am very happy to have won the gold medal because I wanted to do my best, knowing what some people have to suffer and what can happen in life,” said Stoyadinov.
Day 1 female medallists at JudoTashkent pic.twitter.com/vc6FNd0N1Z
– Judo (@Judo) March 3, 2023
Germany’s Mascha Ballhaus from Turnerbund Hamburg-Eilbeck won the gold medal in the women’s up to 52 kilograms thanks to a victory over two-time world champion Ai Shishime. Laszlo Toth, Vice Chairman of the World Judo Federation, was responsible for honouring the winner.
As in 2021: Tamaoki took gold in Tashkent
Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan won the men’s 66 kilogram final against Sardor Nurillayev of Uzbekistan. The medals were handed over by Adkham Ikramov, the Uzbek Minister of Youth and Sports.
Momo Tamaoki won gold for Japan in the weight category up to 57 kilograms. She already won the Grand Slam in Tashkent two years ago. Saken Mussaibekow, invited by the World Judo Federation as a guest, honoured the winner.
Top class judo and great sportsmanship: The first day of competition in Uzbekistan’s capital offered the audience a lot. The continuation follows this Saturday…