On day one Japan topped the medal table with 3 gold medals. On day two they had none. On day one Great Britain just missed out on a bronze medal but on day two they delivered a breakthrough moment as Ethan Nairne won the nation’s third ever grand prix gold, beating three Olympic medallists along the way.
Also on day one, Spain won an incredible 6 medals but on day two none of the Spanish team arrived in the final block. This kind of unpredictability is a feature of our sport which brings excitement and inspires effort. There can always be belief in one’s chances when it is accepted that even with huge names present, anyone can find their form and deliver their best work on almost any given day.
Day two in Austria confirmed these ideas perfectly. At -63 kg, the top seeds won and respected the rankings. At -81 kg, a new podium took shape while at -73 kg, a newcomer won but big known names were also present. Day three is now on the horizon and we can’t wait for whatever new stories we find there.
As day two comes to a close, the final note must be for Michaela Polleres and the Austrian competition organisers. Polleres won gold in her category and gave the country a blast of their national anthem. This is always an amazing moment for tournament hosts who work so hard to create the right environment for everyone to bring their best work to the mat, regardless of flag.
