Almada, Europe Brief News – The 2022 World Judo Championship got out in Almada, Portugal, with a fantastic opening day, as well as the local Judoka responded to the occasion.
Catarina Costa, as usual, demonstrated superb technique, catching her Korean opponent off guard to win the first Olympic Gold of the year and Portugal’s first of the event, earning her the title of the lady of the day.
The 2022 World Judo Tour takes off in Portugal, with plenty of excitement and thrills.
Costa was warmly presented with her gold medal by Mr Jorge Fernandes, the Portugal Judo Union president.
“Thank you, I feel thrilled today because I could make it in front of my family and friends and it’s the first competition of the year, so of course, I’m thrilled to start the year well, and I hope to get more Gold medals this year,” Costa said after.
With such a continuous morote seoi nage, Lee Harim of Korea upset Paris Grand Slam champion Aghayev of Azerbaijan at -60kgs.
Mr Juan Carlos Barcos, Head of Global Affairs for the World Judo Federation, presented him with his medal. Distria Krasniqi, the Olympic champion at -48kg, won her first gold medal after advancing towards the -52kilogram weight range after Tokyo.
She began the year with a fantastic throw, and she hopes to maintain her success in the international weight class.
Mr Vtor Pataco, Director of the Portugal Academy for Sports and Youth, presented Distria with her gold medal.
Denis Vieru of Moldova was the championship’s man of the day, outlasting his Swiss rival Waizenegger with two key Waza-aris to win Gold at -66kgs.
Mr Mohammed Meridja, the World Judo Federation’s Education & Coaching Manager, presented the awards. Following that, Vieru stated, “I am happy and proud to become the best on the podium today. In the future I will continue to surprise the public with my beautiful judo “.
Rafaela Silva won her seventh Grand Prix championship at -57kgs, defeating Pleuni Cornelisse of the Netherlands with huge hips throw.
The medals were presented by Dr Carlos Paula Cardoso, Head of the Portuguese Sports Federation.
From young Judoka like Goncalo Oliviera, who demonstrated terrific technique and brute strength, to renowned Portuguese giants like Telma Monteiro, the Ippons poured in from all over the country, building enormous momentum for the following two days of the first Grand Prix in Portuguese.
