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World Judo Championships: Dicko wins first gold medal for France

Muzaffarbek Turoboev is celebrated like a hero in Uzbekistan after winning the World Championship title in the weight category up to 100 kilograms and shared the joy also with the judo youngsters.

In the highest weight category of the women there was a French victory on the seventh day of competition. Romane Dicko took gold. The 23-year-old has already celebrated great successes: Last year she won Olympic bronze in the individual and gold in the group competition.

Beatriz Souza also reached the final in Tashkent. The 24-year-old from Brazil has already won the Pan American Championships three times, and she now has silver and bronze medals in her wardrobe. The most beautiful of the sports colours is still missing for her at the World Championships.

Romane Dicko fulfilled that dream, defeating Souza in the World Championship final and could hardly believe it herself afterwards. It was the first gold medal for the French Judo Federation in Tashkent.

Naser Al Tamimi, the treasurer of the World Judo Federation, presented the medals.

“My feeling now is: I made it. I never competed in a world championship before, it was the first time. I really wanted to go home with a medal, preferably gold. I did it, I am proud of myself,” said the new World Champion.

In the men’s over 100 kilograms, much revolved around Tatsuru Saito. The Japanese is only 20 years old and is considered THE upcoming heavyweight. In Tashkent he proved that he already belongs to the world class. Saito reached the final.

Granda: First Cuban world champion in nine years

His opponent was called Andy Granda. The Cuban also fought his way into the final. 30 years old, he has been almost inconspicuous at the highest level of performance so far. As a three-time Pan American champion, Granda has proved his ability several times and six medals in world tournaments are not a bad number, but the Cuban has never been among the front runners at a world championship or at the Olympics.

In the final in Tashkent, Saito and Granda were at loggerheads and the Cuban won in overtime. In the previous nine years, no Cuban judo fighter had won World Championship gold.

Haruki Uemura, member of the Executive Committee of the World Judo Federation, was in charge of the award ceremony.

“Thanks to the World Judo Federation, the Cuban team was able to prepare for three months in Hungary. I would like to dedicate my medal to the World Judo Federation as a thank you for the help they have given us,” said Granda.

Signing of contract with Fuji TV

On the sidelines of the seventh day of competition, Marius Vizer, chairman of the World Judo Federation, signed a contract with Shin Tomooka, general manager of Fuji TV. The channel will broadcast judo events in Japan and worldwide.

On the last day of the World Judo Championships, the group competition is on the programme. Some of the world’s best judoka will then step onto the mat once again. Last year, Japan won this competition ahead of France and Uzbekistan.

By Frank