The key facts

  • Ivaylo Ivanov of Bulgaria won his second Grand Slam title 11 years after his first
  • Elizaveta Lytvynenko (UAE) took gold in the -78 kg category at her first tournament as world champion
  • Irakli Demetrashvili defeated world silver medalist Ushangi Kokauri in the +100 kg category

Final day in Abu Dhabi

On October 31, the Abu Dhabi leg of the Judo Grand Slam series came to an end: on the final day, five sets of medals were contested in the heavyweight and middle weight categories. Watching the judokas' performances from the stands was three-time Olympic champion and 12-time world champion Teddy Riner, who noted that every visit to Abu Dhabi is for him 'a new event, even more beautiful.' This was reported by Euronews.

The -90 and -78 kg categories

In the -90 kg final, Bulgarian Ivaylo Ivanov, trailing during the bout, defeated Mikhail Latyshev of Moldova and claimed his second Grand Slam title — 11 years after his first. The judoka himself said after the victory that last year, before the competition, he suffered numerous injuries, but keeps competing, and mentioned the possible participation in the tournament in Los Angeles. The medals were presented by International Development Group chairman Noureddine Sehweil.

Victory for the host country's athlete

In the -78 kg category, world champion Elizaveta Lytvynenko, competing for the UAE, faced Patrícia Sampaio of Portugal. Lytvynenko executed a powerful counter-attack and took gold in her first tournament wearing the red world champion patch on her back. 'I feel wonderful, because this is like home, and I can win a gold medal for this country,' Euronews quoted the athlete as saying. The gold medal was presented to her by UAE Judo Federation president Mohammed Bin Thaloub Al Deri.

Heavyweight categories

In the -100 kg final, Russian Idar Bifov defeated France's Aurélien Diesse, applying a hold-down armlock on the mat. The medals were presented by Teddy Riner himself. Among the women in the +78 kg category, Croatian Elena Vuković beat Israel's Raz Hershko — Euronews described her victory as 'a tactical masterclass'; the awards were presented by the head of the refereeing directorate of the International Judo Federation, Armen Bagdasarov.

Super heavyweight

In the heaviest category, +100 kg, Georgian Irakli Demetrashvili threw and held down world silver medalist, Azerbaijani Ushangi Kokauri, claiming his second Grand Slam gold of the year. The medals were presented by IJF sport directorate head Vladimir Barta.