The 2023 Tbilisi Grand Slam got here to a dramatic climax with all three males’s golds going to hosts Georgia.
An all-Georgian closing
To the delight of a packed stadium, Olympic Champion Lasha Bekauri confronted present European Champion Luka Maisuradze for an all-Georgian closing at -90kg.
And it was Bekauri who took gold in a really shut contest.
Ioseb Baghaturia, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth handed out the medals.
“Thank you, first of all,” Bekauri said afterwards. “I think I can say today confirmed Georgia is the best Judo team in the world. Three Georgian anthems today in this fantastic venue with this fantastic audience. Congratulations to my two friends. I am so happy for the three gold medals.”
Wagner’s comeback is on observe
At -78kg former world champion Anna-Maria Wagner from Germany confirmed her comeback is on observe with a giant win over in-form Alice Bellandi from Italy.
Imre Csősz from the IJF Sport Commission gave her her gold.
“Ah, it felt so good,” Wagner said afterwards. “And I screamed because I knew in the moment that was my waza-ari, and it was golden score, and it was my win, and it’s my medal… after a year.”
More success for the house nation
Youngster Ilia Sulamanidze introduced extra success for the house nation at -100kg, defeating Gonchigsuren Batkhuyag from Mongolia to take gold.
Armen Bagdasarov the IJF Head Referee Director awarded him his medal.
Israel’s Raz Hershko was on blistering type at over 78kg, utilizing her superior velocity to beat Xin Su from China. Faissal Raguib from the IJF Sport Commission made the displays.
Gela Zaalishvili accomplished the Georgian clear sweep of the day three males’s titles with victory over Munir Ertug from Turkey. David Kevkhishvili, the Georgian Judo Federation Vice President, gave him his gold.
Getting prepared for Doha 2023
In addition to watching some spectacular judo, followers took half in a raffle organised by the Georgian Judo federation with a prime prize of an all-inclusive journey to the World Judo Championships: Doha 2023! Backpatches signed by well-known Georgian judoka have been additionally up for grabs.
A magical finish to 3 days in Tbilisi! See you subsequent week in Antalya.
