Day 3 - Preliminaries

Let’s concentrate on a few big names of the day. First, Tato Grigalashvili (GEO); he’s 3 times a world champion at -81 kg but in Linz he chose to compete at -90 kg and it gave him a different kind of freedom. He fought openly and in the spirit of fun. Of course he would not enjoy losing but his demeanour was one of enjoyment throughout, loving judo.

Tato won 4 contests, all with massive throws, to reach the final. He was energised and positive all day and the crowd absolutely loved it.

Next up, Raz Hershko! She arrived as the number one seed at +78 kg, a world and Olympic medallist, always a determined character for any adversary to meet. She never ever gives up and in Linz her ability to throw and transition directly into winning ne-waza was in perfect condition.

Actually, Hershko became stronger as the day went on. Every fight was finished with a maximum score and in her semi-final against Ramazanova (KAZ), it only took her 21 seconds. She will face Giovanna Santos (BRA) in the final and the expectation is that she will win it comfortably.

Let’s now look at one big name which exited early, not because we like to focus on losses but because this one surprised us and reminded us all that judo is never a sport that can be written about in advance. Number one seed, an Olympic medallist and world champion, Guram Tushishvili lost in his opening contest to 20-year-old Ibrahim Tataroglu (TUR). They each had a yuko on the board and so the contest had gone into golden score. Almost immediately Tataroglu engaged with a strong o-soto-gari and left the Georgian with no chance to respond. The Turkish judoka made the most of his day and continued to win all the way to the final. No matter the final colour, he has earned his medal in Austria!

Sidestepping back to those who excited us with their wins, we take a look at double world champion Fonseca. Against Ceesay (GAM) he registered a full set of scores; against Jedrzejewski (POL) he threw for ippon in less than a minute. Giovani Ferreira (BRA) then shocked the champion, countering him when he looked to be in full flow and ready to score ippon again. The ippon came but not for Fonseca. The repechage awaited.

Marat Baikamurov (KAZ) suffered next against Fonseca, in the repechage; two scores later and an undeterred Portuguese judoka moved into the bronze medal contest. Fonseca has not won a medal on the World Judo Tour for almost two years and in Linz, right now, he’s let it be known that he’s here for a medal, no matter what!

Last but certainly not least, we take a look at the excellent day of Marie Branser (GUI). AT 33 years old she seems to be finding her stride, finally. She won her first ever World Judo Tour medal last year in Zagreb having fought internationally for 12 years already. She is the illustration of staying power and resilience.

Competing at -78 kg, Branser scored twice against Sairy Colon (PUR) and then out-gripped, out-manoeuvred and out-worked Coralie Godbout (CAN), winning on penalties. In the semi-final she surprised number two seed Metka Lobnik (SLO) with a ko-uchi-gake in golden score, one that offered Branser only the second grand prix final of her career, the first only 4 months ago.

An African flag will fly today in the Tips Arena and perhaps the national anthem of Guinea will ring out; wouldn’t that be something? The Netherlands’ Lieke Derks will do all she can to deliver an alternative outcome but however the day ends, Branser has given her best and African continent can be proud of their athlete.

As always, the final block begins at 5pm and will be streamed live on JudoTV.com. Tune in to see all the action and enjoy the commentary at the end of the event with Sheldon France-Rooks, Robin Willingham and Neil Adams on our ‘Golden Score’ show.