There’s been an unforgettable second day of action at the Almaty Grand Prix in Kazakhstan. In the under 63 kilos women’s final, Margaux Pinot of
ADVERTISEMENTThere’s been an unforgettable second day of action at the Almaty Grand Prix in Kazakhstan.
In the under 63 kilos women’s final, Margaux Pinot of France scooped gold after crushing Asian Championships bronze medallist and top seed Tsend-Ayush Tserennadmid, from Mongolia.
Unlike her opponent, Pinot was only penalised once during the four minute contest – sealing her top of the podium place.
Another gold for France came in the women’s under 70 kilos final.
Teenager Marie Eve Gahie pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career so far, seeing off Olympics hopeful and Asian Championships winner Tsend-Ayush Naranjargal of Mongolia.
Gahie led with a yuko until her opponent equaled up. But the Mongolian later hit her head on the tatami and couldn’t continue, handing victory to the French fighter.
In the men’s under 73 kilos final, Georgia’s Olympic champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili saw off first-time Grand Prix finalist Jaromir Jezek, of the Czech Republic.
The gold moving Shavdatuashvili ahead of his teammate and top category seed Nugzari Tatalshvili.
Cuban Ivan Felipe Silva Morales was the man of the moment in the under 81 kilos men’s final.
The Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist saw off Matteo Marconcini of Italy.
Marconcini took the lead with two minutes to go – but it was short lived. Silva Morales later sent his opponent flying towards the tatami and held on for the remaining seconds.
Surprise of the day
The surprise of the second day of action came in the semis. Almaty Grand Prix top seed Nugzari Tatalashvili overpowered by the Czech Republic’s Jaromir Jezek.
Throw of the day
The throw of the day was a stunning ippon inflicted by Brazilian Leandro Gulhero against his opponent Shakhzodbek Sabirov in the quarter finals of the men’s under 81 kilos.