Dushanbe Grand Slam: Five Gold Medals Awarded on Final Day in Tajikistan

It’s the final day of the DUSHANBE GRAND SLAM here in Tajikistan… and once again the hordes of judo fans were promised another amazing day of action inside the Kasri Tennis. The -90 kg final saw Mansur LORSANOV face off against Olympic medallist, Theodoros TSELIDIS. The close encounter went into golden score and LORSANOV took the victory, judged to have been more active than his opponent. Tajikistan Judo Federation President, Mr Ismoil MAHMADZOIR was on hand to award the medals. In the -78 kg category, UAE’s Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO was the class act of the category! The experience difference in the final proved key, as LYTVYNENKO produced a huge O-goshi for ippon. A first Grand Slam gold for the talented 22 year old. She was awarded her medal by First Deputy Chair of the Committee for Youth and Sports under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ms Shabnam RAHIMZODA. At -100 kg Fuchun HUANG faced Adam SANGARIEV. Huang produced a superb O-uchi-gari to stun Sangariev and become the first Chinese man to claim a world tour gold medal in 9 years! He was awarded his medal by World Champion and Double Silver Olympic Medallist, Mr Neil ADAMS. At +78 kg Asya TAVANO faced Jinesinuer AYIMAN. A deft O-uchi-gari from the Italian helped her defend her title from last year. The medals were awarded by Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mrs Matlubakhon SATTORIYON. In the +100 kg final 22 year old Jakub SORDYL took the last gold medal of the tournament, turning and holding Bislan KATAMARDOV. A first world tour gold for the Polish athlete. He was awarded the gold by Mrs Louisa AGIUS GALEA, International Judo Federation Executive Committee Member. It has been yet another memorable visit to Tajikistan for the judo family. An absolutely electric crowd; party atmosphere; and a successful tournament for the hosts, their top stars earning three golds. We’ll see you next week, in Astana!