Anna-Maria Wagner has won the Judo Grand Slam of Baku. The German won in the weight class up to 78 kilograms on the final day.
The third and final day of competition at the Baku Judo Grand Slam featured the highest weight classes, as is usual for World Tour competitions.
Participants in a program that encourages young girls and women to practice martial arts were also present at the event venue in Baku.
In the weight category up to 90 kilograms, Mikhail Igolnikov won the Grand Slam gold medal. In the final against Ivaylo Ivanov, he was awarded two Waza-Ari scores. The former judo world champion Elchan Mammadov, who now works for the Azerbaijani Judo Federation, was in charge of the award ceremony.
Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany won the only medal for the German Judo Association in Baku. In the final of the 78-kilogram weight class, she defeated Alice Bellandi of Italy. Wagner, the 2021 world champion, stood at the top of the podium for the ninth time in a World Tour tournament.
Mohammed Meridja, who heads the Education Department at the World Judo Association, presented the German with the award.
“It just went well for me. I felt very comfortable during the fight and knew every second: today I am stronger. This strength of will and my self-confidence ensured that this fight ended in my favor,” said Wagner after her victory.
In the men’s 100 kilogram category, Georgian Ilya Sulamanidze impressed. His opponent Matvei Kanikovsky was unable to prevent him from winning. Sulamanidze, just 22 years old, claimed his fifth victory in a World Tour tournament. However, he had not yet won in Baku.
His compatriot David Kevkhishvili, deputy chairman of the Georgian Judo Federation, presented the medals.
“It’s a strange feeling, because the children here in the hall may not know who I am or where I come from. But they cheered for me with all their hearts – even if that’s a strange feeling. But it was a great joy,” said Sulamanidze.
Heavyweight: Souza and Tasojev best
Beatriz Souza from Brazil won the heavyweight final against Rochele Nunes from Portugal. Neil Adams, former world champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist, presented the winner with the trophy.
In the men’s heavyweight category, Inal Tasojev prevailed, beating Guram Tushishvili in the final. Agajar Achundzada conducted the award ceremony.
Selim Kotsoyev made the local Azerbaijani judo fans cheer. He won bronze in the 100-kilogram weight category.
The Baku Judo Grand Slam is over. Here’s to next year!