The key facts

  • Diyarа Keldiyorova lost in the second bout of the Grand Slam tournament in Abu Dhabi to Israel's Gefen Primo
  • In the first bout she defeated Mexico's Paulina Martinez, who received three warnings (shido)
  • This is the athlete's first defeat since returning to judo after a two-year break

Defeat in Abu Dhabi

Olympic judo champion Diyarа Keldiyorova was defeated on October 29 at the Grand Slam tournament (known as the 'Double Golden Helmet') currently taking place in Abu Dhabi (UAE). According to Gazeta, the 28-year-old athlete competed in her usual weight category, up to 52 kg.

Course of the tournament

In her first bout, Keldiyorova defeated Mexico's Paulina Martinez — the opponent received three warnings (shido). However, in the second bout she lost to Israel's Gefen Primo and was eliminated from the tournament.

Context of her comeback

This is Keldiyorova's first defeat since returning to top-level sport: she resumed her career after a two-year break. In October she had already won a gold medal at an international tournament in Aktau — in the up-to-52 kg category she beat her Azerbaijani opponent early in the final. Thus, the defeat in Abu Dhabi ended her unbeaten run since her comeback, but does not diminish her successful start after the pause. 'I love judo very much, I live judo,' she said earlier.