The World Judo Tour returned to Linz for Day 1 of the Upper Austria Grand Prix. Mitsuki Kondo, Romain Valadier Picard, Iroha Oi, Ruslan Pashayev and Ayami Takano claimed gold medals as fans at the TipsArena enjoyed thrilling finals and spectacular techniques.
The World Judo Tour returns to the beautiful hills of Upper Austria. Hosted in the Tips Arena Linz, the crowd were in for an exciting day of Judo on the first day of the Grand Prix here in Linz.
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The tournament was officially opened by IJF Head Sport Director Mr Vladimir Barta, Governor of Upper Austria Mr Thomas Stelzer and Austrian Judo Federation President Dr Martin Poiger.
At -48 kg, Mitsuki KONDO of Japan met Eva PEREZ SOLER of Spain in the first final of the tournament. A clinical Tai-otoshi into a hold down from KONDO guaranteed her the gold medal.
This is KONDO’s second career grand prix gold in Upper Austria.
Upper Austria Governor Mr Thomas STELZER, was on hand to award the medals.
At -60 kg, Romain VALADIER PICARD of France, who took gold here in 2023 was hoping for a repeat victory. A low dropping seoi-otoshi saw him standing once again, on the top spot.
He was awarded his medal by IJF Education & Coaching Director Mr Mohammed MERIDJA.
At -52 kg Iroha OI of Japan faced off against Roza GYERTYAS of Hungary. An early yuko score from Oi was enough to see her take the gold medal.
She was awarded her medal by President of the Austrian Olympic Committee Mr Horst NUSSBAUMER.
The -66 kg final saw Ruslan PASHAYEV of Azerbijan against Ronald LIMA of Brazil. With each scoring a yuko, the fight was decided in golden score. A beautifully timed bit of ashi waza from PASHAYEV secured him the victory.
The medals were awarded by IJF Head Sport Director Mr Vladimir BARTA.
It was an all Japan final in the -57 kg category. A well-executed piece of shime-waza secured Ayami TAKANO her first-ever Grand Prix gold.
She was awarded the gold medal by IJF Head Referee Director Mr Armen BAGDASAROV.
We’ll see you tomorrow for Day 2.