Day 2 of the Zagreb Judo Grand Prix: Showcase of young talents

On the second day Zagreb Judo Grand PrixThis major sporting event was officially opened with a local judo exhibition that included an impressive kata display and a choir performing the Croatian national anthem in the Arena stadium.

Inside -63kgjapanese Kirari Yamaguchi She used ashi-waza to score a waza-ari goal against French Manon Deketer and followed it up with waza-ari-awasete-ippon to win her first Grand Prix gold.

Hungarian, Daniel Szegediinside -73kgHe received his first medal in the World Judo Tour and became gold! The young athlete’s magnificent performance brought him great joy.

“I really love fighting here in Croatia, I have very good memories. In my first European Cup tour, when I was a student, I won here in Zagreb; it was a truly unforgettable moment and yes, I was able to do it. Reach the top again,” the judoka said after the fight.

Inside -70kgDutch Sanne Vermeer He fell to waza-ari in the final but managed to come back and score an ippon goal. A brilliant counter-attack and the subsequent key earned him the gold medal at the Grand Prix, a medal he had not won since 2019.

“I feel like you haven’t lost until time’s up, so even if I’m behind I never want to go home feeling like I could have done more; especially when I’m behind I want to give it my all and then do it all; It can seem a little chaotic at times, but if it works, it works,” Vermeer said.

Inside -81kg, Victor Sterpu He won the first gold of his career in the Grand Prix. Two waza-ari were combined for the match-winning ippon. A great result for the Moldovan judoka.

The finishing touch of the second day of the Croatian Grand Prix was made by the local judo team, who demonstrated their skills on the tatami in a display that inspired budding judokas from all over the country.

Arena Stadium tomorrow Zagreb receivable heavy weights On the last day of the Judo Grand Prix, held for the first time since the Paris Olympic Games.