JUDO NEWS DAY 1: Judo Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi 2013 [Plus Video Footage of Finals]

IJF News - November 22nd, 2013

The opening day of the sixth edition of the Judo Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi 2013, provided a blistering day of judo on Friday.

Judo Grand-Prix Abu Dhabi 2013: Day 1 Final Block

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Judo Grand-Prix Abu Dhabi 2013: Day 1

Seven weight categories were in action as the women’s -48kg, -52kg, -57kg and -63kg categories and men’s -60kg, -66kg and -73kg categories all showed their ability on the tatami of the ADNEC Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

A total of 126 athletes representing 35 national delegations (62 men, 64 women) were in action on day and even if this tournament is not part of the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifications yet (which begins in May 2014), the high participation and very good level of today's competition proves the willingness of the world's top judoka to prepare for the major events to come. On the occasion of this Grand Prix, 300 points are allocated to the winners, 180 points to the silver medallists and 120 points to the bronze medallists.

During the break, just before the final block starts, Nicolas Messner, IJF Media and Communications Director, and IJF Development Commissioner, held a judo clinic with children from a local judo club. Organised by the UAE Judo Federation, the judo session gave one more occasion for the IJF to present judo as a fantastic educational tool for the youth of the world. Two weeks after the Judo Educational Journey Through China, which was an incredible success, the IJF continues its intense work to develop judo as a sport, with the World Judo Tour events, as well as an educational tool. After the judo clinic, which involved children from 5 to 15 years old, the group enjoyed the show of the final block of the first day of competition.

Mr. Nasser Al Tamimi, IJF General Treasurer, said: "The educational programme is a very good program for our country. We are actively collaborating with the Ministry of Education and this collaboration will be even stronger in the future. With the help of the IJF, we have planned several activities during the week. Today and tomorrow it is in connection with the Grand Prix, but next week we will also go to visit clubs. We start with small but effective project but our ambition is big for the years to come."

FOLLOW THE COMPETITION

The draw can be seen at: http://www.ippon.org/gp_uae2013.php
Live stream on Ippon TV: http://www.ippon.tv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ijudo
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/IntJudoFed
Official event hash tag: #JudoAbuDhabi2013
Instagram: http://instagram.com/judogallery
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/judo

WOMEN

-48kg: A new star is born in Abu Dhabi

The final opposed 2013 Junior World Championships bronze medallist Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) and Qingdao Grand Prix winner Alesya KUZNETSOVA (RUS). Particularly powerful with her own version of kata-guruma without grabbing the leg, the young French judoka, 18, stunned all her opponents. Less active, KUZNETSOVA, 21, was penalised twice for passivity, giving a small advantage to BUCHARD. And despite a very last attempt of the Russian to immobilise the French, BUCHARD won the first major senior international event of her young career.

The first bronze medal was won by Valentina MOSCATT (ITA) against Kimberley RENICKS (GBR). The second bronze medal went to Mongolia and to the current World Champion MUNKHBAT Urantsetseg (MGL) who defeated Amelie ROSSENEU (BEL). With no surprise, the current world champion MUNKHBAT Urantsetseg (MGL) qualified for the semi-final, where she was opposed to the young French national champion, Amandine BUCHARD (FRA), who had a first tough fight during the preliminary rounds. Led by waza-ari against Kristina RUMYANTSEVA (RUS), she waited until the last 30 seconds to finally launch a powerful shoulder movement for ippon. To qualify for the semi-final, the French defeated Valentina MOSCATT (ITA). Well inspired and in very good condition, BUCHARD continued on her way to the final. After five minutes of golden score, she finally defeated the world champion, who was disqualified for a direct leg grab. In the second half of the draw, Kimberley RENICKS (GBR) had a hard time to defeat Amelie ROSSENEU (BEL) by yuko after two minutes of golden score, to enter the semi-final. It was much easier for Alesya KUZNETSOVA (RUS) who scored ippon with a precise combination of ippon and ko-uchi-gari and then defeated the British athlete to enter the final.

Final
BUCHARD, Amandine (FRA) vs. KUZNETSOVA, Alesya (RUS)

Semi-Finals
MUNKHBAT, Urantsetseg (MGL) vs. BUCHARD, Amandine (FRA)
RENICKS, Kimberley (GBR) vs. KUZNETSOVA, Alesya (RUS)

Bronze Medal Fights
MOSCATT, Valentina (ITA) vs. RENICKS, Kimberley (GBR)
ROSSENEU, Amelie (BEL) vs. MUNKHBAT, Urantsetseg (MGL)

Final Results

1. BUCHARD, Amandine (FRA)
2. KUZNETSOVA, Alesya (RUS)
3. MOSCATT, Valentina (ITA)
3. MUNKHBAT, Urantsetseg (MGL)
5. RENICKS, Kimberley (GBR)
5. ROSSENEU, Amelie (BEL)
7. FIGUEROA, Julia (ESP)
7. GURBANLI, Aisha (AZE)

-52kg: RYZHOVA wins gold for Russia

The final of the day in the women's -52kg opposed Laura GOMEZ (ESP) and Yulia RYZHOVA (RUS). The score being tight until the last minute (one penalty each), neither of the fighters seemed to be capable of scoring, when RYZHOVA engaged a strong harai-makikomi for waza-ari, enough to grab the gold at the end of a long competition day.

The two German athletes were present in the two bronze medal fights: the bronze medallist at the 2009 world championship, Romy TARANGUL, and Mareen KRAEH (GER). But both fighters were defeated by ippon, Penelope BONNA (FRA) winning with an immobilisation and Andreea CHITU (ROU) with a superb counter attack. In the first semi-final, Laura GOMEZ (ESP) gave no chance to Andreea CHITU (ROU). She sent the Romanian athlete to the bronze medal fight with an unstoppable counter attack for ippon. Earlier during the preliminaries, Laura GOMEZ (ESP) defeated Al Jalili AL NUAIMI (UAE) and the French Penelope BONNA (FRA). In the second semi-final, Romy TARANGUL (GER), was almost qualified leading by two penalties against Yulia RYZHOVA (RUS). But almost is not enough. A few seconds before the end of the semi-final, the Russian scored a small yuko and won her ticket to the final.

Final
GOMEZ, Laura (ESP) vs. RYZHOVA, Yulia (RUS)

Semi-Finals
CHITU, Andreea (ROU) vs. GOMEZ, Laura (ESP)
TARANGUL, Romy (GER) vs. RYZHOVA, Yulia (RUS)

Bronze Medal Fights
BONNA, Penelope (FRA) vs. TARANGUL, Romy (GER)
KRAEH, Mareen (GER) vs. CHITU, Andreea (ROU)

Final Results

1. RYZHOVA, Yulia (RUS)
2. GOMEZ, Laura (ESP)
3. BONNA, Penelope (FRA)
3. CHITU, Andreea (ROU)
5. KRAEH, Mareen (GER)
5. TARANGUL, Romy (GER)
7. HEYLEN, Ilse (BEL)
7. MOUSSA, Meriem (ALG)

-57kg: Unstoppable Miryam ROPER

The final of the day opposed two of the strongest fighters of the moment: the German Miryam ROPER, winner of several major events this year, and the Olympic silver medallist, Corina CAPRIORIU (ROU). With an opportunist ko-soto-gari, ROPER was the first to score a waza-ari, followed less than one minute later by another ko-soto-gari for ippon.

The first bronze medal went to the Portuguese, Telma MONTEIRO, who defeated Tatiana NOSKOVA (RUS) by penalties. The second bronze medal went to China, after LIU Yang defeated the Swiss fighter Larissa CSATARI (arm-lock for ippon). ROPER continues to build on her success of winning bronze at the World Judo Championships in Rio last August, and on this occasion entered the final with a strong victory from a o-uchi-gari for ippon against LIU Yang (CHN). Corina CAPRIORIU (ROU) gave no chance to Telma MONTEIRO (POR) in the second semi-final and arm-locked her for ippon. During the preliminaries, she eliminated Kseniia BELDIAGINA (KGZ), Meriem MOUSSA (ALG) and Laura GOMEZ (ESP).

Final
ROPER, Miryam (GER) vs. CAPRIORIU, Corina (ROU)

Semi-Finals
ROPER, Miryam (GER) vs. LIU, Yang (CHN)
MONTEIRO, Telma (POR) vs. CAPRIORIU, Corina (ROU)

Bronze Medal Fights
NOSKOVA, Tatiana (RUS) vs. MONTEIRO, Telma (POR)
CSATARI, Larissa (SUI) vs. LIU, Yang (CHN)

Final Results

1. ROPER, Miryam (GER)
2. CAPRIORIU, Corina (ROU)
3. LIU, Yang (CHN)
3. MONTEIRO, Telma (POR)
5. CSATARI, Larissa (SUI)
5. NOSKOVA, Tatiana (RUS)
7. BEDETI, Vlora (SLO)
7. RAMSAY, Connie (GBR)

-63kg: UNTERWURZACHER defeats world silver medallist to win gold for Austria

The last final of the day opposed Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) and Kathrin UNTERWURZACHER (AUT). The French being with no doubt stronger than her opponent, the title seemed to be her property even before the final started, but UNTERWURZACHER took her chance and superbly won with yuko obtained on a yoko-sutemi-waza. Not enough precision in her trapping, AGBEGNENOU could not score and finished at the second place.

The first bronze medal went to the USA and Hannah MARTIN who scored an early waza-ari and was able to keep the score until the final gong against Mungunchimeg BALDORJ (MGL). The second bronze medal was won by Anicka VAN EMDEN (NED) who defeated Hilde DREXLER (AUT). The Austrian was unable to overcome the small yuko that VAN EMBEN had scored during the first half of the match. With no surprise and without being put in danger during all the preliminary rounds, the world silver Medallist Clarisse AGBEGNENOU took her place in the final.

Final
AGBEGNENOU, Clarisse (FRA) vs. UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT)

Semi-Finals
AGBEGNENOU, Clarisse (FRA) vs. DREXLER, Hilde (AUT)
UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT) vs. MARTIN, Hannah (USA)

Bronze Medal Fights
BALDORJ, Mungunchimeg (MGL) vs. MARTIN, Hannah (USA)
VAN EMDEN, Anicka (NED) vs. DREXLER, Hilde (AUT)

Final Results

1. UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT)
2. AGBEGNENOU, Clarisse (FRA)
3. MARTIN, Hannah (USA)
3. VAN EMDEN, Anicka (NED)
5. BALDORJ, Mungunchimeg (MGL)
5. DREXLER, Hilde (AUT)
7. TSEND-AYUSH, Tserennadmid (MGL)
7. ZHANG, Wen (CHN)

MEN

-60kg: Gold for MUDRANOV and bronze for Olympic champion

The first male final of the day opposed Beslan MUDRANOV (RUS) and Sharafuddin LUTFILLAEV (UZB). After defeating the Olympic champion, LUTFILLAEV seemed to be able to take the gold but after a missed sumi-gaeshi attack, MUDRANOV took to opportunity to immobilise his opponent for a well-deserved ippon.

The first bronze medal of the category was won by Orkhan SAFAROV (AZE), who was opposed to Tobias ENGLMAIER (GER). In the second bronze medal fight, one waza-ari obtained with a low tai-otoshi was enough for the Olympic champion, Arsen GALSTYAN (RUS, to win the bronze against the Brazilian Diego SANTOS. To be an Olympic Champion does not mean that you have the guarantee to win a Grand Prix. That is what Arsen GALSTYAN (RUS) discovered today in Abu Dhabi. After a first strong win against Valentin ROTA (SUI), the Russian, was defeated by Sharafuddin LUTFILLAEV (UZB), who immobilised him for ippon, having already scored a waza-ari. Nevertheless, in the first half of the draw, top seeded athlete, Beslan MUDRANOV (RUS), was able to represent Russia in the final. In semi-final, he defeated Diego SANTOS from Brazil. GALSTYAN having lost the second half of the draw was open for Sharafuddin LUTFILLAEV (UZB), who confirmed his good condition by winning the semi-final against the German Tobias ENGLMAIER (GER).

Final
MUDRANOV, Beslan (RUS) vs. LUTFILLAEV, Sharafuddin (UZB)

Semi-Finals
MUDRANOV, Beslan (RUS) vs. SANTOS, Diego (BRA)
LUTFILLAEV, Sharafuddin (UZB) vs. ENGLMAIER, Tobias (GER)

Bronze Medal Fights
SAFAROV, Orkhan (AZE) vs. ENGLMAIER, Tobias (GER)
GALSTYAN, Arsen (RUS) vs. SANTOS, Diego (BRA)

Final Result

1. MUDRANOV, Beslan (RUS)
2. LUTFILLAEV, Sharafuddin (UZB)
3. GALSTYAN, Arsen (RUS)
3. SAFAROV, Orkhan (AZE)
5. ENGLMAIER, Tobias (GER)
5. SANTOS, Diego (BRA)
7. MOOREN, Jeroen (NED)
7. MUSHKIYEV, Ilgar (AZE)

-66kg: One more gold for Russia

Mikhail PULYAEV (RUS) and Nijat SHIKHALIZADA (AZE) were the two strong men of the day and yet neither of them were capable of scoring anything, the final score being one shido for the Russian and two for the Azerbaijan judoka. Thus the gold again went to Russia after the victories already obtained in the men's -60kg as well as in the female -52kg weight category.

The first bronze medal was won by the Spanish athlete, Sugoi URIARTE (ESP) who scored two waza-ari with a hip movement, the second bronze medal going to Alim GADANOV (RUS), who defeated the Uzbek FARMONOV with a waza-ari and yuko. The top seeded athlete of the category, Mirzahid FARMONOV (UZB), showed a great potential to win the title until the semi-final, where he was opposed to Mikhail PULYAEV (RUS), who had another idea in mind. The Russian, whose best result so far was a gold medal at the Rotterdam Grand Prix back in 2010, entered the final where he was opposed by Nijat SHIKHALIZADA (AZE), who defeated Sugoi URIARTE (ESP) in the semi-final.

Final
PULYAEV, Mikhail (RUS) vs. SHIKHALIZADA, Nijat (AZE)

Semi-Finals
FARMONOV, Mirzahid (UZB) vs. PULYAEV, Mikhail (RUS)
URIARTE, Sugoi (ESP) vs. SHIKHALIZADA, Nijat (AZE)

Bronze Medal Fights
DOVDON, Altansukh (MGL) vs. URIARTE, Sugoi (ESP)
GADANOV, Alim (RUS) vs. FARMONOV, Mirzahid (UZB)

Final Result

1. PULYAEV, Mikhail (RUS)
2. SHIKHALIZADA, Nijat (AZE)
3. GADANOV, Alim (RUS)
3. URIARTE, Sugoi (ESP)
5. DOVDON, Altansukh (MGL)
5. FARMONOV, Mirzahid (UZB)
7. BURNS, Nathon (GBR)
7. MOHAMMEDI, Ahmed (ALG)

-73kg: Sublime SCVORTOV defeats Olympic champion to win home gold

The last final of today's male categories opposed the Olympic champion, Mansur ISAEV (RUS) and the representative of the host federation Victor SCVORTOV (UAE). Surprisingly, the first dangerous attack came from SCVORTOV, who launched an acrobatic uchi-mata. But the way ISAEV escaped from being thrown was as acrobatic as the movement itself. But, in front of his public, Victor SCVORTOV was definitely the strongest today. Being dominated, ISAEV was penalised twice for passivity. Obliged to attack and take risks, he was crucified by an incredible de-ashi-barai for ippon.

The first bronze medal went to Mirali SHARIPOV (UZB) who gave no chance to Christopher VOELK (GER)who lost out by an arm-lock for ippon. The second bronze medal was won by the Olympic silver medallist, Miklos UNGVARI (HUN) who immobilised Denis IARTCEV (RUS) for ippon. The second Russian Olympic Champion from London that competed today in Abu Dhabi, Mansur ISAEV (RUS), was luckier than his teammate Arsen GALSTYAN (-60kg), as he could reach the final after his victories against Marco MADDALONI (ITA), Igor WANDTKE (GER) and Denis IARTCEV (RUS) in the semi-final. In the second half of the table, the second top seeded athlete of the competition, representing the host country, confirmed his statute and successively won against Zurab NOZADZE (GEO), Miklos UNGVARI (HUN), the silver medallist of the London Olympic Games and Christopher VOELK (GER).

His Excellency Mohamed Bin Thaloub Alderei, President of the UAE Judo Federation said: "Tonight I am twice happy. I am happy for all the delegations which came here in our beautiful country and of course I am particularly pleased with our first gold medal here in Abu Dhabi. Our champion was incredible throughout the day and defeating the Olympic Champion in the final was just amazing."

Final
ISAEV, Mansur (RUS) vs. SCVORTOV, Victor (UAE)

Semi-finals
IARTCEV, Denis (RUS) vs. ISAEV, Mansur (RUS)
SCVORTOV, Victor (UAE) vs. VOELK, Christopher (GER)

Bronze Medal Fights
SHARIPOV, Mirali (UZB) vs. VOELK, Christopher (GER)
UNGVARI, Miklos (HUN) vs. IARTCEV, Denis (RUS)

Final Result

1. SCVORTOV, Victor (UAE)
2. ISAEV, Mansur (RUS)
3. SHARIPOV, Mirali (UZB)
3. UNGVARI, Miklos (HUN)
5. IARTCEV, Denis (RUS)
5. VOELK, Christopher (GER)
7. DAWSON, Patrick (GBR)
7. WANDTKE, Igor (GER)

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

Saturday

11:00 Preliminary rounds on 3 mats
17:00 Bronze Medal fights on 2 mats and finals on 1 mat

Women: -70kg, -78kg, +78 kg

Men: -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg

Location: ADNEC - Abu Dhabi, UAE