Georgia finished top of the medal table at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam with three gold medals as Russia claimed second place after winning two gold medals on the last day of a historic competition in the U.A.E.
IJF earns social media award for its highly-popular YouTube channel
Greek great Ilias ILADIS, who held a #WorldJudoDay masterclass on Sunday, showed off a special award which the IJF received from social media powerhouse YouTube.
The three-time world champion is one of the most revered judoka of all time and his videos are among the most watched on the IJF YouTube channel which was recognised for passing 100,000 subscribers.
The IJF, which was ranked eighth from 35 International Federation's for it's social media offering in an independent study by RedTorch - ahead of FIFA, FINA and the ITU among others - now has 161,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Click here to visit the IJF channel.
Over 56 countries have already shared their #WorldJudoDay activities
The judo world observed #WorldJudoDay on Sunday 28 October with the theme of Friendship proving to be an inspired selection by the judo family.
The IJF has already recieved information about activities in 56 countries and that number is increasing by the hour. Stay tuned to the #WorldJudoDay website for the full reports of every activity.
Click here to read more.
Use #JudoAbuDhabi2018 to join in with the social media discussion
FINAL RESULTS: WOMEN -78kg: Six of the the best for Dutch ace STEENHUIS
World silver medallist Guusje STEENHUIS (NED) showed why she’s ranked number one in the world as the Dutch star powered to glory in the -78kg category. STEENHUIS defeated familiar foe and world number three Natalie POWELL (GBR) in the final with a makikomi effort which was worth a waza-ari score. The Netherlands judoka is entering her prime in the run up to Tokyo 2020 while 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam winner POWELL will be pleased to return to the medal podium after misfiring at the Worlds and at the Cancun Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
In the first semi-final STEENHUIS beat Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Anna Maria WAGNER (GER) with a juji-gatame for ippon after four minutes of golden score. In the second semi-final Tunis Grand Prix silver medallist Karen STEVENSON (NED) lost out to POWELL by ippon from a o-uchi-gari.
The first bronze medal contest was won by former Qingdao Grand Prix bronze medallist MA Zhenzhao (CHN) who thwarted STEVENSON after 70 seconds of golden score. MA, who finished fifth at the World Championships in September, earned her first Grand Slam medal with an o-soto-makikomi to clinch China’s second medal of the Grand Slam in front of China Judo Association President and IJF Hall of Famer XIAN Dongmei.
The second bronze medal was won by Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Beata PACUT (POL) who surprised WAGNER. Poland’s PACUT won her first Grand Slam medal by squeezing past her leggy German rival by a waza-ari from a seoi-nage which was the only score of the contest.
Final STEENHUIS, Guusje (NED) vs POWELL, Natalie (GBR)
Bronze Medal Fights MA, Zhenzhao (CHN) vs STEVENSON, Karen (NED) WAGNER, Anna Maria (GER) vs PACUT, Beata (POL)
Final Results
1. STEENHUIS, Guusje (NED) 2. POWELL, Natalie (GBR) 3. MA, Zhenzhao (CHN) 3. PACUT, Beata (POL) 5. STEVENSON, Karen (NED) 5. WAGNER, Anna Maria (GER) 7. APOTEKAR, Klara (SLO) 7. MALZAHN, Luise (GER) +78kg: First Grand Slam crown for SLUTSKAYA
Budapest Grand Prix silver medallist Maryna SLUTSKAYA (BLR) was the last woman standing in the +78kg category as Belarus topped the medal podium. Two-time Grand Slam bronze medallist SLUTSKAYA registered in the gold medal column for the first time at a showpiece IJF Grand Slam with a comprehensive triumph over Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Anne Fatoumata M BAIRO (FRA). SLUTSKAYA left no doubt about it as she won by ippon and will now improve on her ranking of eighth place in the world.
In the first semi-final Antalya Grand Prix bronze medallist Galyna TARASOVA (UKR) fell to M BAIRO by a waza-ari score to guarantee the French delegation a medal on day three. In the second semi-final SLUTSKAYA defeated Asian Games bronze medallist WANG Yan (CHN) by a waza-ari score after 29 seconds of golden score.
The first bronze medal was awarded to number one seed Iryna KINDZERSKA (AZE) who salvaged a place on the podium with a win over WANG. Azeri judoka KINDZERSKA claimed her sixth Grand Slam medal by a waza-ari score which was the only time the scoreboard was called upon in a slow paced contest.
The second bronze medal was won by Ekaterinburg Grand Slam bronze medallist Carolin WEISS (GER) who held down TARASOVA with osaekomi-waza for 20 seconds and ippon in the closing seconds of the contest. WEISS picked up her fifth Grand Slam medal by toppling her Ukrainian opponent who had nothing left to offer in her last contest in Abu Dhabi.
Final M BAIRO, Anne Fatoumata (FRA) vs SLUTSKAYA, Maryna (BLR)
Bronze Medal Fights KINDZERSKA, Iryna (AZE) vs WANG, Yan (CHN) TARASOVA, Galyna (UKR) vs WEISS, Carolin (GER)
Final Results
1. SLUTSKAYA, Maryna (BLR) 2. M BAIRO, Anne Fatoumata (FRA) 3. KINDZERSKA, Iryna (AZE) 3. WEISS, Carolin (GER) 5. WANG, Yan (CHN) 5. TARASOVA, Galyna (UKR) 7. VELENSEK, Anamari (SLO) 7. LIANICHENKO, Iuliia (RUS)
FINAL RESULTS:
MEN -90kg: IGOLNIKOV grinds out Abu Dhabi win over TOTH to take one step closer to Tokyo 2020
European champion Mikhail IGOLNIKOV (RUS) won his second Grand Slam of the year with a narrow win over Budapest Grand Prix winner TOTH Krisztian (HUN). The Düsseldorf Grand Slam winner added the Abu Dhabi title to his collection by edging out his Hungarian rival by a waza-ari score to win Russia’s first gold medal in the U.A.E. World number 16 IGOLNIKOV is now Russia’s leading contender for Tokyo 2020 at -90kg and there’s still four events remaining on the IJF World Judo Tour in 2018.
In the first semi-final IGOLNIKOV countered a ura-nage from Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Mammadali MEHDIYEV (AZE) for his second and match-winning waza-ari to move forward into the final. In the second semi-final TOTH beat Agadir Grand Prix bronze medallist Quedjau NHABALI (UKR) after 12 seconds of golden score by ippon from a front uchi-mata.
The first bronze medal was won by world number two Aleksandar KUKOLJ (SRB) who threw 2017 Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist NHABALI with a majestic piece of ashi-waza. The Serbian star produced one of the best ippons of the competition with a sasae-tsurikomi-ashi in the opening contest of the final block.
The second bronze medal went to MEHDIYEV who beat Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Sergiu TOMA (UAE) with a ko-soto-gake for ippon with little resistance from the home judoka.
Final TOTH, Krisztian (HUN) vs IGOLNIKOV, Mikhail (RUS)
Bronze Medal Fights NHABALI, Quedjau (UKR) vs KUKOLJ, Aleksandar (SRB) TOMA, Sergiu (UAE) vs MEHDIYEV, Mammadali (AZE)
Final Results
1. IGOLNIKOV, Mikhail (RUS) 2. TOTH, Krisztian (HUN) 3. KUKOLJ, Aleksandar (SRB) 3. MEHDIYEV, Mammadali (AZE) 5. NHABALI, Quedjau (UKR) 5. TOMA, Sergiu (UAE) 7. MARGIANI, Ushangi (GEO) 7. ABD EL AKHER, Hatem (EGY)
-100kg: Bronze medallist under the IJF flag 12 months ago, PALTCHIK wins for Israel at Abu Dhabi 2018
European Championships bronze medallist Peter PALTCHIK (ISR) won his country’s second gold medal in the United Arab Emirates. PALTCHIK took bronze a year ago under the banner of the IJF but topped the podium today and thanks to the groundbreaking work of the International Judo Federation and the U.A.E Judo & Wrestling Federation, did so with the Israel flag on his judogi and his anthem as he won his first Grand Slam title. Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Elmar GASIMOV (AZE) lost out to the Tbilsi Grand Prix winner in golden score by a waza-ari after 29 seconds of added time.
In the first semi-final world number six Jorge FONSECA (POR) missed out on a place in the final after losing out by a waza-ari score to GASIMOV. In the second semi-final PALTCHIK turned to sutemi-waza against Budapest Grand Prix silver medallist Karl-Richard FREY (GER) after three minutes of golden score for a waza-ari and place in the final.
The first bronze medal was won by FREY who saw off 2009 Rio Grand Slam bronze medallist Askhab KOSTOEV (RUS). The Russian returned earlier this year after a five-year absence from the circuit and took fifth-place in Abu Dhabi after losing out by a waza-ari score against Germany’s FREY with a koshi-guruma.
The second bronze medal went to Budapest Grand Prix bronze medallist Jevgenijs BORODAVKO (LAT) who held down FONSECA with a kami-shiho-gatame. There are not many judoka who can match the Portuguese for power but the much taller Latvian retained control of his opponent on the ground to win his fifth Grand Slam honour.
Final GASIMOV, Elmar (AZE) vs PALTCHIK, Peter (ISR)
Bronze Medal Fights KOSTOEV, Askhab (RUS) vs FREY, Karl-Richard (GER) FONSECA, Jorge (POR) vs BORODAVKO, Jevgenijs (LAT)
Final Results
1. PALTCHIK, Peter (ISR) 2. GASIMOV, Elmar (AZE) 3. FREY, Karl-Richard (GER) 3. BORODAVKO, Jevgenijs (LAT) 5. KOSTOEV, Askhab (RUS) 5. FONSECA, Jorge (POR) 7. FARA, Aaron (AUT) 7. BOEHLER, Laurin (AUT)
+100kg: Russia’s TASOEV rushes to heavyweight gold in five seconds
Antalya Grand Prix winner Inal TASOEV (RUS) took the biggest win of his burgeoning career as he defeated Olympic champion Lukas KRPALEK (CZE) five seconds into their +100kg final. Russia’s premier heavyweight, who was overlooked for selection to the World Championships in September, faced off with KRPALEK for the first time and humbled the owner of the -100kg gold backpatch with an o-uchi-gari after his distinguished heavyweight rival rushed in. In the last contest of the competition, 2017 Junior World Championships gold medallist TASOEV enhanced his reputation with a first Grand Slam crown and the pair could be engaged in chapter two at the season-ending World judo Masters in Guangzhou, China, from 15 – 16 December.
In the first semi-final KRPALEK held down Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Or SASSON (ISR) who elected to tap out after appearing to pick up an arm injury. The former -100kg rivals, who last faced off at the 2013 Samsun Grand Prix, collided for the first time in the heavyweight category and it was the Czech Republic judoka who prevailed and remained undefeated against his lsraeli rival. In the second semi-final Henk GROL (NED) was pinned down by TASOEV for 10 seconds after the Russian went in front by a waza-ari from a te-waza movement.
The first bronze medal was won by rugged veteran GROL who launched Minsk European Open winner Uladzislau TSIARPITSKI (BLR) with an uchi-mata for ippon and his sixth Grand Slam medal. The second bronze medal went to Tashkent Grand Prix silver medallist Iurii KRAKOVETSKII (KGZ) as SASSON could not compete due to injury.
Final KRPALEK, Lukas (CZE) vs TASOEV, Inal (RUS)
Bronze Medal Fights TSIARPITSKI, Uladzislau (BLR) vs GROL, Henk (NED) SASSON, Or (ISR) vs KRAKOVETSKII, Iurii (KGZ)
Final Results
1. TASOEV, Inal (RUS) 2. KRPALEK, Lukas (CZE) 3. GROL, Henk (NED) 3. KRAKOVETSKII, Iurii (KGZ) 5. TSIARPITSKI, Uladzislau (BLR) 5. SASSON, Or (ISR) 7. CULUM, Zarko (SRB) 7. SARNACKI, Maciej (POL)