The Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam concluded with outstanding performances from the world’s top judoka. MURAO Sanshiro claimed a ninth Grand Slam title, LYTVYNENKO Yelyzaveta triumphed in -78kg, while PIRELLI Gennaro, ARAI Mao and KIM Minjong secured gold on a thrilling final day in Mongolia.
The final day of the Judo Grand Slam in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, delivered yet more top quality judo inside the Steppe Arena.
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A strong Mongolian crowd was present to witness the last of the action from this year's event.
Many of the biggest names in world judo showed up, hoping for a share of the first qualification points towards Los Angeles.
At -90kg, MURAO Sanshiro, the current world champion flew through to the final, where he met KIM Jonghoon. Displaying his dominance in the category, MURAO comfortably threw and pinned his opponent to take a ninth grand slam title.
Mr Nicolas MESSNER, Media and Judo for Peace Director of the International Judo Federation was on hand to award the medals.
It was age against youth in the -78 kg final, 36 year old Audrey TCHEUMEO versus 22 year old Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO.
With two victories each in the their head-to-head. LYTVYNENKO outlasted her more experienced opponent.
General Treasurer of the International Judo Federation, Mr Naser AL TAMIMI awarded the gold.
Gennaro PIRELLI and Idar BIFOV contested the final at -100kg.
After a cagey affair, it was PIRELLI who was judged to have been the more active of the two. He was awarded his gold medal by Mr Sergey SOLOVEYCHIK, President of the Russian Judo Federation.
The final of the +78kg category was hotly anticipated. ARAI Mao vs Romane DICKO.
ARAI came out victorious, tying her opponent up to force a submission. The medals were awarded by President of MAX group, Partner of the Mongolian Judo Assocation, Mr Ganbaatar DAGVADORJ.
At +100 kg KIM Minjong took on Irakli DEMETRASHVILI, and it was the former world champion Kim who completed a dominant day by earning the heavyweight title! The final gold medal was awarded by Mr Vladimir BARTA, Head Sport Director of the International Judo Federation.
Thank you Mongolia. We are back next week with a Grand Prix in Qingdao, China.