The U.A.E team included history-making Rio 2016 Olympic -81g bronze medallist Sergiu Toma who won gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and teammate Victor Scvortov who won -73kg bronze at his home event alongside Mr. Naser Al-Tameemi, U.A.E Judo, Kickboxing and Wrestling Federation General Secretary.
The visit illustrates judo’s growing stature in the U.A.E as Toma won his country’s first ever Olympic medal in judo and first medal from any sport since 2004.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Mr. Vizer said: “I see Sergiu Toma’s result as confirmation of the U.A.E.’s Olympic medal. I believe it is a good promotion for judo here and in the Gulf region and a model for developing judo nations as the U.A.E have been successful in promoting the sport and its values in addition to being successful at the elite level.”
Watch all the contests from the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam at www.judobase.org