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On day two of the Baku Grand Slam 2025 in the National Gymnastics Arena, we saw athletes rise to the occasion, and in two categories, right the way to the top of the podium.
Former World Champion and Olympic medallist, Jessica KLIMKAIT (CAN) has ventured in to the -63kg category, and after a hard run on the training camp following the Paris Grand Slam, proved she was up for the challenge, taking herself straight to gold, defeating AONO Minami (JPN) int he final.
Bronze medals were taken by Natalia KROPSKA (POL) and Lubjana PIOVESANA (AUT), Krropska defeated Florentina IVANESCU (ROU) to claim her first IJF World Tour medal, a huge driving o uchi gari brought her the win in golden score. Piovesana had to climb back on through the repechage after ceding the quarter final to Klimkait, however she went on to defeat the current World Champion in the -63kg category, Joanne VAN LIESHOUT (NED). It was a gruelling head to head and the pair almost doubled their contest time wit golden score until a third shido was given to the Dutch athlete for passivity.
Seeding served us well in the -73kg category, with the World silver medallist, ISHIHARA Tatsuki (JPN) coming in as the number one seed, and finishing top of the podium. Unfortunately, his final opponent was unable to compete due to injury but it would have been a roof raiser as it was host representative, Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist, Rashid MAMMADALIYEV. The pair had fought before in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam where Ishihara took then win for bronze on penalties. Instead, focus was on the bronze medal winner, current Junior European Champion, Vusal GALANDARZADE (AZE) who defeated Tokyo Grand Slam winner, TANAKA Ryuga (JPN) with a single yuko score in the final minute, Tanaka unable to completely turn out of a ko soto gake attack.
It was the first run out for OZBAS Szofi (HUN) in the -70kg category, and it seems to be the perfect fit, not only did she make her way through to the final and eventually the top place on the podium, but it was her first Grand Slam gold ever. Sticking to her guns however, she proved her drop seoi nage was as dangerous in the -70kg as in -63kg, throwing final opponent, Serafima MOSCALU (ROU) twice before securing the osae komi. Europe claimed one of the bronze medals, Lara CVJETKO (CRO) really fought hard to come back from a shocking loss in the quarter final against Moscalu, but saved the day with the medal against Sanne VERMEER (NED) with an o soto gari scored yuko in the first half the contest.
Francois GAUTHIER DRAPEAU (CAN) was so close to winning back to back Grand Slam gold medals in the -81kg category, but standing in his way was hometown hero, Zelim TCKAEV (AZE). Both intelligent competitors, it was only a matter of playing the waiting game before we saw a score, and though Gauthier Drapeau felt he was ready to execute an o soto gari, it looked as it he hit a wall, Tckaev stopping him dead in his tracks and countered with o soto gaeshi. This gave Tckaev a yuko score, but it would take him until the end of the four minutes before the crowd really began to celebrate. Olympic bronze medallist, Somon MAKHMADBEKOV (TJK) lost his place in the final to Tckaev, but tried to come in to save himself for bronze against Egor SUKHOPAROV (IJF). Unfortunately after eight minutes of contest time, he still couldnt beat Sukhoparov to the attack and ceded a third shido for passivity.
Feature Photo: Emanuele Di Feliciantonio (IJF)
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen