The opening ceremony captured the essence of this final World Judo Tour event before the Olympic qualifying season begins. Local dancers and musicians filled the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana with sparkle.
To welcome those present in the arena and everyone watching online, H. E. Mr Yerbol Myrzabossynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, gave the first address, “Dear sports fans, dear athletes and coaches, I warmly congratulate all of you her at the opening of the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam; the grand slam, in judo, is considered one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. This tournament brings together 300 athletes from 36 countries.
Judo is one of the most developed and widely promoted sports in our country. More than 150,000 people are engaged in it on a regular basis and it attracts significant interest from fans who monitor the performances of our athletes closely.
Hosting such a large-scale event in our country demonstrates the high level of trust from the International Judo Federation in Kazakhstan. It also provides a great opportunity for our athletes to strengthen their positions on the global stage. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to the Astana City Administration and the leadership of the national federation for their contribution to the organisation of today’s competition."
"I wish the strongest athletes, those whose skill and fortune align, to stand on the winners’ podium. I wish everyone the best of luck!”
Kazakhstan Judo Federation President Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev then took the floor, “Dear guests, dear members of the judo family, ladies and gentlemen, dear Mr Marius Vizer, welcome to Kazakhstan!
It is a great honour for us to welcome you and the respected delegation of the International Judo Federation to our country. On behalf of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, I warmly welcome all of you to the opening ceremony of the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam here in Astana."
"Today, we gather for more than just a world-class sporting event. We gather to celebrate the spirit of judo: respect, friendship, discipline and excellence. These values bring people together beyond borders and make our sport truly special.
For Kazakhstan, hosting a tournament of this level is both a great honour and a big responsibility. In recent years, we have worked hard to grow our experience, strengthen our organisation and build our place on the world judo map. Today, we are proud to welcome the best athletes from around the world to our home.
Sincerely, I would also like to thank all the fans and guests who joined us today. Your support creates a special atmosphere and gives extra energy to every athlete on the tatami. To all competitors, I wish fair fights, strong performances and memorable victories. To our international guests, I wish a warm welcome and wonderful memories of Kazakhstan. Thank you for being here with us today. Welcome to the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam and let us enjoy a great celebration of world judo together.”
To complete the speeches, IJF President Mr Marius Vizer stepped forward, “Dear distinguished Minister of Sport, dear Kazakhstan Judo Federation President, distinguished guests, spectators, partners and family members, it is a great occasion to be back in Astana, in a country of sport. This is a special country of judo, a country of energy and innovation."
"On this occasion I want to thank and express my appreciation to H.E. President Tokayev for continuously supporting sport and the new generation, and especially judo. I want to congratulate the Kazakhstan Judo Federation and the Mjnistry of Sports for all youth programmes, Judo in Schools and our IJF Academy partnership with the International federation.
I also want to congratulate everyone for the organisation of next year’s world championships. Thanks to all spectators who have offered a great atmosphere. I wish you a successful competition and I open the grand slam here in Astana. Thank you.”
Following the speeches, the national anthem of Kazakhstan and the IJF anthem were played in the arena. Then it was time for everyone to turn their focus to the final block.
Kazakhstan is delivering an incredible event, one which is inspiring judoka around the world. In Astana, local athletes are feeling the need to perform and are reaching for new limits. On this second day of competition a special mention must be made about Zhaglas Kairolla (KAZ) who stepped up to the challenge with aplomb to win gold at -81 kg. This was the host nation’s first gold medal of the tournament but their fourth medal overall.
Tune in to day three’s action online at JudoTV.com and follow the news, category reports and interviews at IJF.org.