We've been saying it since the beginning of the tournament: something is happening in China, something very positive. To be convinced, just take a look at the +78 kg final, Chundi Jia (CHN) versus Ye Liang (CHN). It was a 100% Chinese final. Is this already the visible effect of the presence of Stéphane Traineau, the former French world champion who until last year was in charge of Kazakhstan and has now moved a little further east to supervise the Chinese squad?
Final, Chundi Jia (CHN) vs Ye Liang (CHN)

What is certain is that this Dushanbe Grand Slam is a very good edition for China and that it bodes well for a bright future for Chinese judoka.

In the final, Chundi Jia applied a classic attack in the heavy weight, a makikomi attempt followed on the floor with an immobilization for ippon. Gold and silver medals go to China.

Bronze medal contest, Tina Radic (CRO) vs Nominzul Dambadarjaa (MGL)

The first bronze medal contest pitted Tina Radic (CRO) against Nominzul Dambadarjaa (MGL). Radic thought she had done the most difficult part after when she scored a yuko, but in judo it's never over until the final gong. Actually the judoka did not have to wait for that as Nominzul Dambadarjaa launched a perfectly timed seoi-otoshi for ippon. Bronze medal for Mongolia.

Bronze medal contest, Alfiia Dashkina (IJF) vs Iriskhon Kurbanbaeva (UZB)

Alfiia Dashkina (IJF) and Iriskhon Kurbanbaeva (UZB) qualified for the second bronze medal match. Dashkina took the medal after she applied a shime-waza for ippon after a missed attack from Kurbanbaeva.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Ergash Makhmadbekov, Vice President of the Tajikistan Judo Federation, and Ms Yury Alvear, Member of the IJF Sport Commission, Education and Coaching Director of the Panamerican Judo Confederation, Three time World Champion, Olympic Silver Medallist, 6 time Continental Champion

Final (+78 kg)

Bronze Medal Fights (+78 kg)

See also