The very first edition of the Düsseldorf Grand Slam just ended. Our photographers offer you to discover their top 5 images of the weekend.
The future belongs to the youth. During the opening ceremony of the 2018 Düsseldorf Grand Slam, dozens of children were the flagbearers of 65 delegations engaged in the tournament. Futures world and Olympic medallist were maybe among those young judo fans.

In the semifinal of the women's -52kg weight category, 24-year-old Japanese SHISHIME Ai, current World Champion, defeated Astride GNETO with a superb left handed uchi-mata for ippon.

In men's -60 kg weight category, Georgian CHKHVIMIANI Lukhumi, was dreaming of gold but he lost in the semifinal against the future winner, Nagayama Ryuju (JPN). It is always difficult to get concentrated and motivated again to fight for bronze, but CHKHVIMIANI did it well to step on the podium after having defeated Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Ashley MCKENZIE (GBR).

Olympic Champion, Baker Mashu (JPN) could not imitate his teammate ONO Shohei, who won the -73kg weight category, as he lost the final  in men's -90kg, against the surprising Mikhail Igolnikov of Russia, after the latter applied a superb ashi-waza technique for ippon.

Aerial Judo. In the round 2 of the men's -73kg division, GANBAATAR Odbayar (MGL) was opposed to Robert BARWIG and at one point both athletes were literally flying over the tatami.


© IJF Media by Gabriela Sabau

See also