Born on October 28, 1860, Jigoro Kano became the founder of judo, a sport of tradition based on a moral code.
ADVERTISEMENTBorn on October 28, 1860, Jigoro Kano became the founder of judo, a sport of tradition based on a moral code.
Every year the sport’s International Federation celebrates his birthday with the World Day of Judo and this year it coincides with the first day of the fourth and penultimate Grand Slam of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Galbadrach shines on return to action
Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh didn’t disappoint on her return to action for the first time since winning Olympic Bronze in Rio.
The 24-year-old Kazakh judoka celebrated her second Grand Slam title by defeating Serbian Milica Nikolic in the final of the -48 kg category.
The pair were locked in a stalemate at the halfway point but Galbadrakh came through with her favoured ura-nage for ippon to claim the win.
New ground for Gneto
French judoka Astride Gneto was all smiles after winning her first World Judo Tour event.
She beat top seeded American Angelica Delgado by ippon to take the -52 kilo title.
Gneto delivered the ultimate blow one minute from the end of the fight.
Great Britain’s Kelly Edwards celebrated her fifth medal in a period of two months by claiming the bronze.
Receveaux has something to prove
Hélène Receveaux made up for being overlooked by the French federation for the Rio Olympics by winning the -57 kilo title.
The French judoka, who was omitted from the Olympic squad and replaced by Automne Pavia in Rio, needed just 50 seconds to win the final.
She beat Germany’s Theresa Stoll by ippon to pick up her first Grand Slam gold medal of her career.
Shamilov stuns the big guns with maiden win
In the men’s competition Russian Yakub Shamilov upstaged the big guns to take top honours in a very strong -66 kg division.
Shamilov beat former world silver medallist Azamat Mukanov of Kazakhstan by waza-ari.
ADVERTISEMENTIt was also Shamilov’s first career Grand Slam gold medal.
Nikolic springs a surprise
The Surprise of the day goes to World number one Urantsetseg Munkhbat who was eliminated in -48kg semi-final by Nikolic.
Nikolic could hardly believe her own success in this one.
As Munkhbat was preparing her suitcase for the trip home Nikolic travelled all the way to the final but eventually had to settle for the silver.
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