First to top the podium was Daria BILODID (UKR) in the -48kg category who cruised to her second IJF Grand Prix gold. Of Bilodid’s four opponents only Oksana AGAZADE (RUS) managed to avoid being caught for ippon, and that only due to the Russian collecting three shidos as she offered up a subdued and overly defensive effort. The remaining three, Amber GERSJES (NED), Maryna CHERNIAK (UKR) and, in the final, Alexandra POP (ROU) all perished in newaza, as have so many others, rolled then trapped vice like with sangaku gatame by the legs of the 17 year-old Ukrainian. “I’m very pleased with the way things went today. I wanted to work on some things and I feel as though everything is on track,” said Bilodid.
Former European champion Walide KHYAR (FRA) put on a fine performance in taking gold in the -60kg category. In particular, the 22-year-old Frenchman demonstrated his exciting throwing skills in defeating in the quarter final MIYANOHARA Seiya (JPN) and in the final Matijaz TRBOVC (SLO) both with thumping ura nage for ippon.
In the -57kg category Nora GJAKOVA (KOS) made it three Grand Prix gold medals in a row when in the final she defeated number one seed KWON Youjeong (KOR). Gjakova had lost to Kwon in their two previous encounters. But here Gjakova looked confident, strong and focused. It could have had something to do with the fact that Gjakova enjoys competing in Tunis. After all, the Kosovar has won two African Open events here and she certainly looked relaxed in taking the gold medal. “It will be the Paris Grand Slam for me next. After that I will begin preparing for the European Championships with the rest of the Kosovar team,” said Gjakova.
Results
The opening day of competition here in Tunis marked the return of Grand Prix judo after a break of eight years. It was a successful day for the Europeans who took a total of ten medals including three of the five gold medals up for grabs.
First to top the podium was Daria BILODID (UKR) in the -48kg category who cruised to her second IJF Grand Prix gold. Of Bilodid’s four opponents only Oksana AGAZADE (RUS) managed to avoid being caught for ippon, and that only due to the Russian collecting three shidos as she offered up a subdued and overly defensive effort. The remaining three, Amber GERSJES (NED), Maryna CHERNIAK (UKR) and, in the final, Alexandra POP (ROU) all perished in newaza, as have so many others, rolled then trapped vice like with sangaku gatame by the legs of the 17 year-old Ukrainian. “I’m very pleased with the way things went today. I wanted to work on some things and I feel as though everything is on track,” said Bilodid.
Former European champion Walide KHYAR (FRA) put on a fine performance in taking gold in the -60kg category. In particular, the 22-year-old Frenchman demonstrated his exciting throwing skills in defeating in the quarter final MIYANOHARA Seiya (JPN) and in the final Matijaz TRBOVC (SLO) both with thumping ura nage for ippon.
In the -57kg category Nora GJAKOVA (KOS) made it three Grand Prix gold medals in a row when in the final she defeated number one seed KWON Youjeong (KOR). Gjakova had lost to Kwon in their two previous encounters. But here Gjakova looked confident, strong and focused. It could have had something to do with the fact that Gjakova enjoys competing in Tunis. After all, the Kosovar has won two African Open events here and she certainly looked relaxed in taking the gold medal. “It will be the Paris Grand Slam for me next. After that I will begin preparing for the European Championships with the rest of the Kosovar team,” said Gjakova.
Results
