There was a major upset on day one of the Budapest Judo Grand Prix.
ADVERTISEMENTThere was a major upset on day one of the Budapest Judo Grand Prix. It came in the women’s under 63 kilo category and it came wearing Japanese colours.
Junior world champion, 19-year old Nami Nabekura highlighted her potential by stunning World and European champion Tina Trstenjak from Slovenia, winning gold with a large outer reap.
It was a good day for the Japanese contingent as Hiromi Endo won the -48 kilo gold.
Having won the Cadet World Championships in the same city in 2009, Budapest has proved happy hunting ground for the 23-year old.
She saw off the challenge 18-year-old World Tour debutant Romane Yvin of France courtesy of an immobilization for ippon.
It didn’t stop there for the gold-hungry Japanese.
World number 278, Dai Aoki won his very first IJF title by beating Otar Bestaev in the final of the men’s -60 kilo title.
He trapped his vastly-experienced opponent from Kyrgyzstan for the required 20 seconds and won by ippon.
Adrian Gomboc from Slovenia celebrated the first Grand Prix gold medal of his career on day one of competition in Hungary.
He beat an ailing Masaya Asari of Japan courtesy of two yuko scoures.
The Slovenian flag was raised again on day one when former European champion Rok Draksic dug deep to get the better of Ukranian Judoka Dmytro Kanivets in the -73kg final.
Draksic pinned his opponent down to eventually celebrate the win by ippon.