Judo Grand Prix, Düsseldorf 2013 Day 1 - Results

Today was the first day of competition on the occasion of the Judo Grand Prix, Düsseldorf 2013. Seven weight categories were competing: women's -48kg, -52kg, -57kg and -63kg, and men's -60kg, -66kg and -73kg.

During the opening ceremony of the event, the IJF President, Mr. Marius VIZER, congratulated the German Judo Federation and its President, Mr. Peter FRESE, for the fantastic work that was undertaken to organize the event. He also wished good luck to all the delegations. He then presented the IJF Gold Medal to Andreas HEMPEL (IJF referee), who received it in the name of his father, Henry Hempel, who just turned 80 years of age and who dedicated his entire life to Judo. Mr. Henri Hempel was during more than 30 years the national coach of former GDR, the coach of two times world champion, Detlev Hultsch and of Dietmar Lorenz, the first German Olympic Champion in Moscow 1980. Mr. Hempel is the Honorary President of the Judo Federation of Brandebourg.

Just before the start of the final block and at the end of the Opening Ceremony, the General Secretary of the German Olympic Committee, Mr. Michael VESPER, presented medals to the two German Olympic Bronze medallists from London, Andreas TOELZER and Dimitri PETERS.

The full results can be seen at http://www.ippon.org/gp_ger2013.php

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Women

-48kg: Gold for Japan

The first final of the day opposed OKAMOTO Riho (JPN) and JEONG Bo Kyeong (KOR). A first shido was quickly given to the Korean, who was refusing to grip her opponent's judogi. After one minute, an other penalty was given to both fighters for the same reason and again a few seconds later, as the two finalist were not applying any technic. CLose to the disqualification, JEONG had to take risks and that is exactly what she did and it was the good decision: she scored yuko with a ko-uchi-gari. Led by JEONG, OKAMOTO had to take risk, taking into account that the Korean was only one penalty away from the disqualification. And 12 seconds only before the end of the final, JEONG was penalized again for false attack giving the victory to OKAMOTO Riho (JPN).

During the preliminary rounds, two out of the four favorites of the competition qualified for the semifinals: Eva CSERNOVICZKI (HUN - POOL B), bronze medallist in London, and JEONG Bo Kyeong (KOR - POOL D), who just won the European Open in Oberwart (Austria), last week. In the quarterfinal, Amelie ROSSENEU (BEL), bronze medallist at the Tokyo Grand Slam 2012, lost against OKAMOTO Riho (JPN). Only 18 years old, the Japanese already won the European Open, Sofia 2013, earlier this year, and with her victory against the Belgian, she qualified for the semifinal and then for the final, after her win against CSERNOVICZKI.

The surprise came from the defeat of Laetitia PAYET (FRA) during the first round of the tournament, even so she was silver medallist in Paris two weeks ago. She lost against Andrea GOMEZ (VEN), the Venezuelan, who then was defeated by YAMAGISHI Emi (JPN) to access the semifinal. The second semifinal of the day, was dominated by the Korean JEONG Bo Kyeong (KOR). The two bronze medals were won by YAMAGISHI Emi (JPN), who defeated Amelie ROSSENEU (BEL) by ippon (armlock) and to Hela AYARI (TUN), who defeated Eva CSERNOVICZKI (HUN) by penalties and exploded with joy after her victory.

Final

OKAMOTO, Riho (JPN) vs. JEONG, Bo Kyeong (KOR)

Bronze medal Fights

ROSSENEU, Amelie (BEL) vs. YAMAGISHI, Emi (JPN)

AYARI, Hela (TUN) vs. CSERNOVICZKI, Eva (HUN)

Final Results

1. OKAMOTO, Riho (JPN)

2. JEONG, Bo Kyeong (KOR)

3. AYARI, Hela (TUN)

3. YAMAGISHI, Emi (JPN)

5. CSERNOVICZKI, Eva (HUN)

5. ROSSENEU, Amelie (BEL)

7. GOMEZ, Andrea (VEN)

7. UNGUREANU, Monica (ROU)

-52kg: KELMENDI again in Final, but for Gold

The final of the day in the women's -52kg opposed Andreea CHITU (ROU) and Majlinda KELMENDI (KOS). After more than two minutes of fight, KELMENDI found the first big opportunity to put her opponent out of balance and she scored waza-ari with an almost perfect o-uchi-gari. With such an advantage on the scoreboard, KELMENDI could control the rest of the final and win one more major IJF event to be added in her already long prize list.

As in the -48kg weight category, the same scenario happened in the -52kg: only two out of the four best seeded athletes could qualify for the semi-finals. Andreea CHITU (ROU), bronze medallist in Paris two weeks ago, was the first one to enter the last four. In the semifinal, she was opposed to Mareen KRAEH (GER), who surprisingly defeated the top seeded competitor of the day and world number two, Erika MIRANDA (BRA). CHITU unstoppable, continued her journey through the competition and qualified for the final. In the second half of the draw, once again, the 21 year-old prodigy from Kosovo, Majlinda KELMENDI, second in Paris two weeks ago, qualified for the semifinal, where she was opposed to KIM Mi-Ri (KOR), who defeated the 2010 World Champion, NISHIDA Yuka (JPN), in the quarterfinal. And again, KELMENDI qualified for her second final of a major IJF event in a row. The first bronze medal went to TANIMOTO Nodoka (JPN), who scored ippon (shime-waza, strangulation) against KIM, Mi-Ri (KOR). The second bronze went to Mareen KRAEH (GER), who won against Birgit ENTE (NED) and thus gave its first medal of the tournament to the German delegation.

Final

CHITU, Andreea (ROU) vs. KELMENDI, Majlinda (KOS)

Bronze Medal Fights

TANIMOTO, Nodoka (JPN) vs. KIM, Mi-Ri (KOR)

ENTE, Birgit (NED) vs. KRAEH, Mareen (GER)

Final Results

1. KELMENDI, Majlinda (KOS)

2. CHITU, Andreea (ROU)

3. KRAEH, Mareen (GER)

3. TANIMOTO, Nodoka (JPN)

5. ENTE, Birgit (NED)

5. KIM, Mi-Ri (KOR)

7. MIRANDA, Erika (BRA)

7. NISHIDA, Yuka (JPN)

-57kg: Second Victory in a Row for PAVIA

The final of the day, opposed Automne PAVIA (FRA) and HIRAI Nozomi (JPN). The first shido for refusing to catch her opponent's judogi was for the Japanese athlete, then both fighters were penalized for the same reason. A third penalty was given to the HIRAI for passivity, PAVIA being much more active and always the first to attack. When the last penalties were given, the French could relax and enjoy a second major victory in a row during a World Judo Tour event.



Automne PAVIA (FRA), following her victory at the Paris Grand Slam 2013, maintained the rhythm and got qualified for the semifinal after having successively defeated Carla GROL (NED) and ISHIKAWA Megumi (JPN), during the preliminary rounds. To access the final of the tournament, she was opposed to the 20 years old Romanian, Loredana OHAI (ROU), who also stepped on the Paris' podium (bronze medal), at the beginning of February. Once again, PAVIA showed her supremacy and qualified for the final with no difficulty. Sabrina FILZMOSER, from Austria, couldn't pass through the preliminary rounds. Silver medalist in London, Corina CAPRIORIU, from Romania, was stopped early during the competition by Larissa CSATARI (SUI), who was then defeated by HIRAI Nozomi (JPN) to access the semifinal. The winner of the Qingdao Grand Prix 2012, DORJSUREN Sumiya (MGL), was not luckier as she lost against the future semifinalist, Juul FRANSSEN (NED) during her first fight. In the semifinal, FRANSSEN was defeated by HIRAI.

The first bronze medal was won by ISHIKAWA Megumi (JPN) by ippon (immobilization) against Juul FRANSSEN (NED), the second bronze going to KIM Jan-Di (KOR).

Final

PAVIA, Automne (FRA) vs. HIRAI, Nozomi (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights

ISHIKAWA, Megumi (JPN) vs. FRANSSEN, Juul (NED)

KIM, Jan-Di (KOR) vs. OHAI, Loredana (ROU)

Final Results

1. PAVIA, Automne (FRA)

2. HIRAI, Nozomi (JPN)

3. ISHIKAWA, Megumi (JPN)

3. KIM, Jan-Di (KOR)

5. FRANSSEN, Juul (NED)

5. OHAI, Loredana (ROU)

7. BARKELING, Emma (SWE)

7. CSATARI, Larissa (SUI)

-63kg: No Problem for AGBEGNENOU

The final opposed Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) and ABE Kana (JPN). Always first to attack, stronger with her gripping, AGBEGNENOU dominated the fight and just after the half of the fight, she strongly pushed ABE towards the exit and launched a powerful o-soto-gari for ippon.



Already winner of the Paris Grand Slam, earlier this month, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) seems to take the leadership over the category. After two "easy fights" won against Asma BJAOUI (TUN) and TSUGANE Megumi (JPN), she qualified for the semifinal, where she faced her good friend, Yarden GERBI (ISR), who also produced spectacular judo throughout the preliminaries. But AGBEGNENOU was definitely the strongest and she could easily counterattack GERBI for ippon to enter the final. In the second half of the draw, the hierarchy was perfectly respected, the two top seeded athletes, Anicka VAN EMDEN (NED) and ABE Kana (JPN), qualifying for the semifinal. ABE then got her ticket for the final after her win agains the Dutch.

The first bronze medal went to Yarden GERBI (ISR), who during a ground work session, executed a clever strangulation to Hilde DREXLER (AUT) for ippon. Anicka VAN EMDEN (NED) won the second bronze medal by penalties against TSUGANE Megumi (JPN).



Final

AGBEGNENOU, Clarisse (FRA) vs. ABE, Kana (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights

TSUGANE, Megumi (JPN) vs. VAN EMDEN, Anicka (NED)

DREXLER, Hilde (AUT) vs. GERBI, Yarden (ISR)

Final Results

1. AGBEGNENOU, Clarisse (FRA)

2. ABE, Kana (JPN)

3. GERBI, Yarden (ISR)

3. VAN EMDEN, Anicka (NED)

5. DREXLER, Hilde (AUT)

5. TSUGANE, Megumi (JPN)

7. HERMANSSON, Mia (SWE)

7. TRSTENJAK, Tina (SLO)

Men

-60kg: Gold for Mongolia and GANBAT

The final of the men's -60kg opposed GANBAT Boldbaatar (MGL) and Diego SANTOS (BRA). After a few seconds, SANTOS was penalized for the first time by shido (defensive position), both fighters being again penalized for defensive attitude later during the fight. One minute before the end of the final, SANTOS was penalized for the third time, enough for GANBAT to win the gold medal.



The only top seeded athlete (from the first top four) to pass through the preliminary rounds was the bronze medallist of the Paris Grand Slam, two weeks ago, Amiran PAPINASHVILI (GEO), who defeated Senne WYNS (BEL), Yerkebulan KOSSAYEV (KAZ) and Matjaz TRBOVC (SLO), to enter the semifinal. In Pool B, YAMAMOTO Hirofumi (JPN) was defeated by the French, Isam NOUR, who then lost against GANBAT Boldbaatar (MGL). The Mongol then won the semifinal against PAPINASHVILI to enter the final. In the second half of the draw, it was again difficult for the favorites: Betkili SHUKVANI (GEO) lost against Aram GRIGORYAN (RUS) and Sofiane MILOUS (FRA) against Askhat TELMANOV (KAZ). The semifinal opposed Aram GRIGORYAN (RUS) and SANTOS Diego (BRA) for a victory of the Brazilian fighter. The two bronze medals went to Aram GRIGORYAN (RUS), who defeated the French Issam NOUR by ippon, and to Amiran PAPINASHVILI (GEO), who defeated Askhat TELMANOV (KAZ) by two yuko.

Final

GANBAT, Boldbaatar (MGL) vs. SANTOS, Diego (BRA)

Bronze Medal Fights

NOUR, Issam (FRA) vs. GRIGORYAN, Aram (RUS)

TELMANOV, Askhat (KAZ) vs. PAPINASHVILI, Amiran (GEO)

Final Results

1. GANBAT, Boldbaatar (MGL)

2. SANTOS, Diego (BRA)

3. GRIGORYAN, Aram (RUS)

3. PAPINASHVILI, Amiran (GEO)

5. NOUR, Issam (FRA)

5. TELMANOV, Askhat (KAZ)

7. PETRIKOV, Pavel (CZE)

7. TRBOVC, Matjaz (SLO)

-66kg: Japanese Final Between EBINUMA and FUKUOKA

The final opposed the two Japanese athletes, FUKUOKA Masaaki (JPN) and EBINUMA Masashi (JPN). Before the half of the fight, only penalties were distributed, one to EBINUMA, two to FUKUOKA, giving a virtual lead to the world champion and Olympic medalist, EBINUMA. And actually, he was able to keep that "advantage" until the end of the fight to win the gold medal.



David LAROSE (FRA) could not reproduce his Paris performance, where he superbly won the title two weeks ago. At the first round, he was opposed to FUKUOKA Masaaki (JPN), winner of the 2012 edition of the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Prix. The French lost by penalties during a very tactical fight, where he was never able to increase his rhythm. In the semifinal, FUKUOKA won against SANJAASUREN Miyaragchaa (MGL), who earlier during the day defeated Dzmitry SHERSHAN (BLR), Islam BAIALINOV (KGZ) and Sugoi URIARTE (ESP). In the second half of the draw, the Olympic Champion, from Georgia, Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO), believed that he could again reach the highest step of the podium, but, in semifinal, he was stopped by the world Champion and London bronze medallist, EBINUMA Masashi (JPN). For sure, the first bronze would go to Georgia as both fighters, Shalva KARDAVA (GEO) and Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO) were Georgian. But the Olympic Champion being injured, the medal went to KARDAVA, who so far only obtained a fifth place at the 2012 Baku Grand Prix, and 2009 Tunis Grand Prix. Golan POLLACK (ISR) won the second bronze medal by waza-ari against SANJAASUREN Miyaragchaa (MGL). Regularly present on the continental open podiums, it is the first major result at the IJF level for POLLACK.



Final

FUKUOKA, Masaaki (JPN) vs. EBINUMA, Masashi (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights

KARDAVA, Shalva (GEO) vs. SHAVDATUASHVILI, Lasha (GEO)

POLLACK, Golan (ISR) vs. SANJAASUREN, Miyaragchaa (MGL)

Final Results

1. EBINUMA, Masashi (JPN)

2. FUKUOKA, Masaaki (JPN)

3. KARDAVA, Shalva (GEO)

3. POLLACK, Golan (ISR)

5. SANJAASUREN, Miyaragchaa (MGL)

5. SHAVDATUASHVILI, Lasha (GEO)

7. KARIMOV, Tarlan (AZE)

7. URIARTE, Sugoi (ESP)

-73kg: DUPRAT's Day

The final of the men's -73kg opposed Pierre DUPRAT (FRA) and Dex ELMONT (NED), and obviously it was the day of the French, who after having eliminated WANG Ki-Chun in the semi-final, eliminated the Dutch Dex ELMONT, who was quickly disqualified for a forbidden leg grip.



WANG Ki-Chun (KOR), two times World Champion and Olympic silver medallist in Beijing, 5 years ago, was the ultimate favorite of the category and without any surprise, he entered the semifinal after three wins against Julian KOLEIN (GER), Ares HERRERO OSORNO (ESP) and Sagi MUKI (ISR). Definitely stronger than all his opponents, his way to the semifinals seemed to be easy. But in the quarterfinal against the Israeli MUKI, he was for the first time put in danger after having spent too much energy during the first half of the bout. Nevertheless, WANG qualified for the semifinal where he was opposed to the French Pierre DUPRAT. Very discrete at the beginning of the day, DUPRAT went through the preliminary rounds, successively defeating David PAPAUX (SUI), Georgios AZOIDIS (GRE), Marcelo CONTINI (BRA) and Rene SCHNEIDER (GER), who earlier during the day defeated the favorite of Pool B, NISHIYAMA Yuki (JPN). Exhausted after his quarterfinal against MUKI, WANG, was defeated by DUPRAT, who showed a lot of precision in all his attacks and scored two waza-ari agains the the Korean Champion. In the pool C, two times world silver medallist and bronze medallist in Paris two weeks ago, Dex ELMONT (NED) qualified for the semifinal, where he faced Rok DRAKSIC (SLO). But this time the final was for the Dutch who eliminated DRAKSIC and moved one step forward.

After a long day, which started very well for WANG, but then was a little more complicated, he could go back home with the bronze medal (ippon by armlock against DELPOPOLO). The second bronze medal went to Rok DRAKSIC (SLO), who won against Sagi MUKI (ISR) by yuko.

Final

DUPRAT, Pierre (FRA) vs. ELMONT, Dex (NED)

Bronze Medal Fights

MUKI, Sagi (ISR) vs. DRAKSIC, Rok (SLO)

DELPOPOLO, Nicholas (USA) vs. WANG, Ki-Chun (KOR)

Final Results

1. DUPRAT, Pierre (FRA)

2. ELMONT, Dex (NED)

3. DRAKSIC, Rok (SLO)

3. WANG, Ki-Chun (KOR)

5. DELPOPOLO, Nicholas (USA)

5. MUKI, Sagi (ISR)

7. KATSUMI, Soshin (GER)

7. SCHNEIDER, Rene (GER)

PROGRAM OF THE COMPETITION

Sunday

9:30 preliminaries on 4 mats

17:00 Final Block: bronze medal fights on two tatamis

Final on one tatami

Location: Mitsubishi Electric Halle

IJF Media & Communication Department

Nicolas Messner

Photos Gabiela Sabau

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