All the latest from day three of the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Judo Championships.
Day three of the World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi promised to be star-studded, with many of the world’s greatest talents in attendance.
Inspiring the next generation, IFJ President Marius Vizer met with children from the French Lycée in Dubai for an interview about the impact of judo on society.
A surprise was in store in the -63 kg category. Joanne VAN LIESHOUT, two-time junior world champion and last year’s bronze medalist, continued her rise in the senior ranks by reaching the final.
There she met Angelika SZYMANSKA who dominated the field throughout the day with her excellent ground work skills and effective submissions.
In the final both fighters were aiming for victory but it was VAN LIESHOUT who found that little extra, one against Uchi-mata-sukashi he scored a waza-ari and it lasted until the end of the time limit for his first senior world title .
The medals were presented by Balazs FÜRJES, member of the IOC.
“I have no words, I feel so happy that I think I need a few more days to realize it, but I am so happy,” said VAN LIESHOUT.
Young Timur ARBUZOV, 20, reached the final after defeating many world-class fighters along the way.
But in the -81kg category, two-time and reigning world champion Tato GRIGALASHVILI defended his title strongly during the qualifiers, aiming for his third consecutive title.
The final was a close and physical battle, but just before the end of the contest, GRIGALASHVILI saw an opportunity and charged, producing Ura-nage to score and win an incredible third consecutive title. He is the first Georgian to win three world championship titles.
The presentation of the medals was made by the vice president of OCA Otabek UMAROV.
“It’s a world title for my first child, a world title for my second child and I dedicate this world title to my wife. If I have more children, I will win more medals that I will dedicate to them in the future,” said GRIGALASHVILI.