Judo Grand Prix, Astana 2014

The Judo Grand Prix, Astana 2014, produced four gold medallists on day two at the capital city’s atmospheric Cycle track "Saryarka" on Saturday.

Kazakhstan fans, who can look forward to welcoming the biggest annual competition in judo next year, the World Championships, saw winners crowned in the women’s -63kg and -70kg categories and men’s -73kg and -81kg categories.

Mr. Kenges RAKISHEV, Kazakhstan Judo Federation President, said: "Many of you have already visited our country to participate in international judo competitions, some have yet to discover our wonderful country - its interesting history, rich culture and its own way of development.

"Visiting Kazakhstan will allow you to know our country, get to know the customs, traditions of Kazakh people and will provide an excellent opportunity to see everything with your own eyes. These days we meet with the warm heart and caring attention for the participants of Grand Prix Astana 2014. I wish all participants nice and uncompromising fight! Let the strongest win."

IJF Hall of Famer and commentator Neil ADAMS is looking ahead with excitement to the 2015 World Championships in Astana.

"The competition here has been very well run and the crowd have created a great atmosphere for the athletes and have encouraged judoka from all countries," said the double Olympic silver medallist.

"There is a sense of excitement and anticipation among the fans and officials here regarding the World Championships next year and I am sure the best judoka in the world are looking forward to returning to Kazakhstan next year."

After the second day nine countries share first place on the medal table as all nine gold medals so far have been won by different countries to once again illustrate the truly international prowess of the thriving Olympic sport.

On Sunday, the three-day competition will come to a close with five gold medals set to be decided. Judo fans around the world will follow the action on TV and live on the internet (http://www.ippon.tv/?nc=227&e=cHJAYXJvdW5kdGhlcmluZ3MuY29t) in the men’s -90kg, -100kg and +100kg categories and the women’s -78kg and +78kg categories.

WOMEN

-63kg: Golden GERBI backs up world silver

World silver medallist Yarden GERBI (ISR) reinforced her standing in the -63kg hierarchy by beating Jeju Grand Prix bronze medallist Anna BERNHOLM (SWE) to win her first IJF gold medal of 2014. The Israeli idol rediscovered her form at the World Championships in Russia after a disappointing return from the first half of the year. GERBI was in her element as her judo flowed and she threw with a trademark uchi-mata for ippon. The old adage says that form is temporary and class is permanent and that rung true in Astana for GERBI who looks set to end her year on a high.

In the first semi-final former world champion GERBI avenged her Tbilisi Grand Prix final loss to number four seed Edwige GWEND (ITA). The Italian went forward for an ouchi-gari but GERBI turned in and threw with uki-goshi for a yuko score. National idol GERBI added a waza-ari from an o-goshi and received three shido penalties for going out of the area but refrained from making a fourth indiscretion which would have resulted in hansoku-make. In the second semi-final Baku Grand Slam runner-up Kathrin UNTERWURZACHER (AUT) lost out to BERNHOLM by a yuko which was the only score of the contest.

The first bronze medal was won by UNTERWURZACHER who dismissed Zagreb Grand Prix silver medallist Mia HERMANSSON (SWE) with an industrious display. UNTERWURZACHER, 22, and HERMANSSON, 21, were first separated by a uki-goshi scored by the former and the Austrian, who held the Swede in osaekomi for four seconds following the score, took the victory with a second waza-ari from the same hip technique. The second bronze medal was claimed by GWEND, who having finished fifth at the World Championships in August, boosted her place on the World Ranking List further by defeating Budapest Grand Prix silver medallist Martyna TRAJDOS (GER). Both judoka would have expected more than a bronze medal showdown coming into the event given their exploits on the World Judo Tour but it was GWEND who was the happiest after scoring a waza-ari by countering an ouchi-gari with osoto-gari.

Final

GERBI, Yarden (ISR) vs BERNHOLM, Anna (SWE)

Bronze Medal Fights

UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT) vs HERMANSSON, Mia (SWE)

GWEND, Edwige (ITA) vs TRAJDOS, Martyna (GER)

Final Results

1. GERBI, Yarden (ISR)

2. BERNHOLM, Anna (SWE)

3. UNTERWURZACHER, Kathrin (AUT)

3. GWEND, Edwige (ITA)

5. HERMANSSON, Mia (SWE)

5. TRAJDOS, Martyna (GER)

7. DREXLER, Hilde (AUT)

7. SILVA, Mariana (BRA)

-70kg: GRAF wins maiden IJF Grand Prix title

Former Junior world champion Bernadette GRAF (AUT) topped an IJF Grand Prix medal podium for the first time in her career after she triumphed against Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix bronze medallist Esther STAM (GEO). Double European bronze medallist GRAF, 22, was on top throughout the fight as she dominated the gripping and outfought her Georgian rival. STAM was penalised twice for passivity while GRAF was not penalised at all as she tirelessly battled her way to the gold medal.

In the first semi-final contest STAM bested 21-year-old Junior World Championships bronze medallist Szaundra DIEDRICH (GER). Rising star DIEDRICH, who had convincingly beaten teammate and former world silver medallist Laura VARGAS KOCH (GER) in the quarter-final, was relegated to the repechage and a bronze medal contest after just 26 seconds after being thrown with a tai-otoshi. In the second semi-final GRAF was successful against reigning Tashkent Grand Prix silver medallist Nadia MERLI (BRA) who had ousted teammate and Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Maria PORTELA (BRA) in the quarter-final. GRAF registered two yuko scores without reply to seal a place in the -70kg final.

The first bronze medal was claimed by top seed VARGAS KOCH who submitted MERLI as both judoka looked to make their own headlines after losing to their respective teammates at the quarter-final stage. VARGAS KOCH was clinical on the ground as she transitioned to subdue her opponent with shime-waza. The second bronze medal contest was won by DIEDRICH against Commonwealth Games winner Megan FLETCHER (GBR). The highly-touted German matched the result of her quarter-final victim VARGAS KOCH by scoring a yuko from an ouchi-gari and went close to securing shime-waza with 10 seconds left but the Briton saw out the time.

Final

STAM, Esther (GEO) vs GRAF, Bernadette (AUT)

Bronze Medal Fights

MERLI, Nadia (BRA) vs VARGAS KOCH, Laura (GER)

DIEDRICH, Szaundra (GER) vs FLETCHER, Megan (GBR)

Final Results

1. GRAF, Bernadette (AUT)

2. STAM, Esther (GEO)

3. VARGAS KOCH, Laura (GER)

3. DIEDRICH, Szaundra (GER)

5. MERLI, Nadia (BRA)

5. FLETCHER, Megan (GBR)

7. UMIRALIYEVA, Dilbar (KAZ)

7. PORTELA, Maria (BRA)

MEN

-73kg: Frenchman DUPRAT drives to gold

Former European bronze medallist Pierre DUPRAT (FRA) defeated Baku Grand Slam winner Sagi MUKI (ISR) to win the -73kg title in Astana. DUPRAT, who last graced an IJF podium in February 2013 when he won the Dusseldorf Grand Prix, did not allow MUKI to impose himself in the contest. The Israeli, who was trying to follow the success of teammate GERBI who won gold in the previous fight, defended an ambitious yoko-tomoe-nage attempt from the Frenchman who was nearly countered in the subsequent ne-waza exchange. MUKI was penalised twice for passivity and a false attack while DUPRAT was penalised once for negative gripping.

In the first semi-final MUKI downed Olympic bronze medallist SAINJARGAL Nyam-Ochir (MGL) with a typically ruthless display. Both judoka received a shido for not taking a grip before MUKI went ahead with a waza-ari. The Israeli added a yuko before putting SAINJARGAL out of his misery by throwing him with o-goshi for ippon. In the second semi-final Mongolia also tasted defeat as former world champion and Olympic bronze medallist KHASHBAATAR Tsagaanbaatar (MGL) was beaten by DUPRAT by ippon and uchi-mata after two minutes.

The first bronze medal was clinched by KHASHBAATAR who just shaded former All Japan Championships silver medallist NISHIYAMA Yuki (JPN) for a place on the podium in Astana. NISHIYAMA attacked with ouchi-gari twice which was followed by the Mongolian receiving a shido for a false attack and not taking a grip. Despite the penalties the Mongolian superstar scored a yuko from a yoko-otoshi to capture -73kg bronze.

The second bronze medal was destined for Mongolia as their double act both come through in Kazakhstan. SAINJARGAL was too strong for former European u23 champion Vadzim SHOKA (BLR) who fell behind by a waza-ari from an osoto-gari after just 15 seconds. The Mongolian wrapped up the win by throwing with ippon seoi-nage for a second waza-ari moments after scoring a yuko.

Final

MUKI, Sagi (ISR) vs DUPRAT, Pierre (FRA)

Bronze Medal Fights

KHASHBAATAR, Tsagaanbaatar (MGL) vs NISHIYAMA, Yuki (JPN)

SAINJARGAL, Nyam-Ochir (MGL) vs SHOKA, Vadzim (BLR)

Final Results

1. DUPRAT, Pierre (FRA)

2. MUKI, Sagi (ISR)

3. KHASHBAATAR, Tsagaanbaatar (MGL)

3. SAINJARGAL, Nyam-Ochir (MGL)

5. NISHIYAMA, Yuki (JPN)

5. SHOKA, Vadzim (BLR)

7. SHAVDATUASHVILI, Lasha (GEO)

7. VOELK, Christopher (GER)

-81kg: KHUBETSOV defeats teammate for Astana victory

Baku Grand Slam winner Alan KHUBETSOV (RUS) toppled colleague Budapest Grand Prix winner Khasan KHALMURZAEV (RUS) in the all-Russian -81kg final. KHUBETSOV, 21, and KHALMURZAEV, who is also 21, are well matched in every area and it was the former who took another notch under his belt by registering the only score of the contest which was an ippon seoi-nage to earn a yuko. Both judoka received a shido for passivity before KHALMURZAEV received a second for the same indiscretion and then KHUBETSOV was penalised for passivity and a false attack.

In the first semi-final KHUBETSOV fought his way past former world silver medallist Srdjan MRVALJEVIC (MNE). KHUBETSOV took the lead with a yuko and was comfortable without adding any further scores while MRVALJEVIC could not change the course of the contest or the rhythm of this opponent. In the second semi-final KHALMURZAEV defeated Jeju Grand Prix bronze medallist Robin PACEK (SWE). The young Russian scored a waza-ari from an uchi-mata and went straight back to the same technique moments later and with a better execution was awarded ippon.

The first bronze medal was won by Bratislava European Cup bronze medallist Benjamin MUENNICH (GER) who outperformed PACEK. The German judoka scored a waza-ari after 56 seconds from a drop seoi-nage and continued to apply pressure as he looked for a speedy conclusion to the contest. PACEK replied with a yuko from a tomoe-nage but that was as close as he come to toppling his rival who sealed the first bronze medal spot on the -81kg podium. The second bronze medal was captured by Sindelfingen European Cup bronze medallist Aziz KALKAMANULY (KAZ), who having finished fifth at the Asian Games, continued his good run of results by beating MRVALJEVIC. KALKAMANULY received the loudest reaction of the day as he charged ahead with a waza-ari and added a yuko from a tai-otoshi either as he was in all-out attack mode. MRVALJEVIC offered a desperate ouchi-gari effort as he fell forward but the Kazakh was unmoved and absorbed the jubilant reaction of the home fans.

Final

KHUBETSOV, Alan (RUS) vs KHALMURZAEV, Khasan (RUS)

Bronze Medal Fights

PACEK, Robin (SWE) vs MUENNICH, Benjamin (GER)

MRVALJEVIC, Srdjan (MNE) vs KALKAMANULY, Aziz (KAZ)

Final Result

1. KHUBETSOV, Alan (RUS)

2. KHALMURZAEV, Khasan (RUS)

3. MUENNICH, Benjamin (GER)

3. KALKAMANULY, Aziz (KAZ)

5. PACEK, Robin (SWE)

5. MRVALJEVIC, Srdjan (MNE)

7. KUBIENIEC, Jakub (POL)

7. KRIZSAN, Szabolcs (HUN)

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

Sunday

10:00 Preliminaries on three mats

17:00 Final block on one mat

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