There was plenty of success for group Croatia on the second day of the Zagreb Grand Prix 2024. Three bronze medals had been earned throughout the 4 classes competing; -63kg, -73kg and -70kg.
Iva OBERAN within the -63kg class narrowly missed out on an Olympic alternative this yr, however has returned to the tour along with her champion mindset, battling Inbal SHEMESH (ISR) for the bronze. Shemesh is a troublesome contender, and makes it very tough for anybody to assault, sometimes controlling the competition, nevertheless Oberan dominated on this event. Ultimately, Shemesh picked up a 3rd shido.
Subsequent up was Robert KLACAR within the -73kg class. A complete day of beautiful performances introduced him to the bronze medal contests in opposition to (GEO) who’s new to the IJF World Tour, and as we speak, stood no likelihood, unable to search out his footing within the contest. After quite a few makes an attempt, and a thought of waza ari, the pair had been even heading in to the ultimate seconds, however with three seconds left on the clock, Klacar secured the win with a wonderfully occasions seoi otoshi.
World silver medallist was seemingly considerably dissatisfied to not end on prime of the rostrum and defend her 2023 outcome, nevertheless she wasn’t about to go away the Zagreb Enviornment empty handed. Initially, Cvjetko rating waza ari with uchi mata, however struggled the additional she delved in to the competition, selecting up two shidos after which coping with an pointless strain. For a very long time she managed the competition, then within the remaining minute, pulled out one other scoring uchi mata.
The -63kg gold was awarded to Tokyo Grand Slam silver medallist, YAMAGUCHI Kirari (JPN) after she defeated Manon DEKETER (FRA), knocking her down with ko uchi earlier than securing the osaekomi. Within the -73kg class, it was a primary Grand Prix gold for Hungary’s SZEGEDI Daniel, his first on the IJF World Tour in reality, and gained his remaining in opposition to Giovanni ESPOSITO (ITA) convincingly. Szegedi anticipated and reacted at pace to counter Esposito.
Sanne VERMEER (NED) has an in depth name will Maya KOGAN (ISR) within the remaining of the -70kg class, the latter was on a roll, having defeated Cvjetko within the semi remaining, after which scoring in opposition to Vermeer early on within the contest with ko soto gake. Vermeer didn’t quit although and scored the wining ippon with uchi mata sukashi.
The final time Victor STERPU (MDA) managed to take his place on the rostrum was within the Zagreb Grand Prix 2021 the place he claimed the silver medal, dropping out the present Olympic Champion of the -73kg class, Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE). Sterpu made the choice to maneuver to the -81kg weight class and has not been capable of finding the identical success, till now. Wanting settled at -81kg he made his manner by means of the class to fulfill Gabriel FALCAO (BRA), and demonstrated ballistic energy with a powerful sumi gaeshi that scored the primary waza ari. Sturdy gripping continued and ultimately put him in an important place for a te waza end, and the gold medal.
Judoka
Creator: Thea Cowen
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