The odds were stacked against any European glory on day one of the Tokyo Grand Slam 2024 with a small entry from the continent, nevertheless, the odds didn’t write off medallists completely, and for two athletes, it was their first time to take a Grand Slam medal, what better place to do it than in the home of judo?
In the -60kg category, Ayub BLIEV (IJF) came close to the final, meeting the current Olympic bronze medallist, NAGAYAMA Ryuju (JPN) in the semi, but after a tough head to head, was sent to the bronze medal contest against Michel AUGUSTO (BRA). Bliev struggled, especially in the opening half of the contest, and in the final 30 seconds found his opening in ne waza, applying osaekomi but only managed waza ari. Incredibly, on the buzzer, it was te waza that confirmed his bronze medal position on the podium, adding on to his 2023 bronze in the same arena.
Martha FAWAZ (FRA) was in a different position, having to battle her way through the repechage of the -57kg category today. Fawaz’ challenger for bronze was the current Junior World bronze medallist, Bianca REIS (BRA). The French athlete bided her time, and took the control of the contest, eventually throwing with harai goshi and scoring a winning waza ari that Reis was unable to come back from.
Adding to the medal table in the -73kg category was 2024 European silver medallist, Danil LAVRENTEV (IJF). The 21 year-old is certainly one to watch in this cycle, only losing out in the European Championship to this years World and Olympic Champion, Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE), Lavrentev is already rolling with the heavy hitters. Today it was an unfortunate quarter final loss to the eventual champion, TANAKA Ryuga (JPN), however Lavrentev came back through the repechage, defeating Jack YONEZUKA (USA) and then Abubakr SHEROV (TJK) for the bronze medal, demonstrating his skills in ne waza, working for almost a minute before taking the win.
A bronze medal was guaranteed in the -63kg category, with the current European Champion, Renata ZACHOVA (CZE) facing Flavia FAVORINI (ITA). The latter found success in the Sarajevo European Open, and was very pleased with her accomplishment given that her intense studies have forced her in to a balancing act. Now today she fought for a medal in the revered Tokyo Grand Slam, quite the step up.
It was an incredibly difficult contest between the pair, going well in to golden score, and at this point, Favorini began to lose the control she once had, ceding two shidos. After almost three minutes of extra contest time, Favorini attempted a drop morote seoi nage but didn’t have the momentum, which resulted in a counter by Zachova and her first Grand Slam medal!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen