Judo: Home nation strikes gold in Ulaanbaatar

The second day of the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in Mongolia looked to be just as action packed as the first.With a large and expectant crowd inside the Steppe Arena, the first qualification points of the LA Olympic cycle drew more huge stars from the judo world.Before the action began, an opening ceremony consisting of traditional performance and dance entertained the spectators.Mr. Naser AL TAMIMI, International Judo Federation General Treasurer, formally opened the event.And there were also opening remarks from the Chief of Staff of the Office of the President, Mr. Uilstuguldur ALTANKHUYAG.As well as Ulaanbaatar City Mayor, Mr. Purevdagva BYARUUZANA.At -63 kg,it was the current world champion KAJU Haruka who extended her 100% unbeaten record on the world Judo Tour.In a tactical final against former world champion, Joanne VAN LIESHOUT, Kaju dominated.Olympic Silver Medallist & World Champion, Ms Sumiya DORSJUREN was on hand to award the medals.In the -73 kg final, home favourite Ankhzaya LAVJARGAL faced off against Jack YONEZUKA.The mongolian delighted the home crowd registering a waza-ari in the golden score period.He was awarded his medal by Mr Uilstuguldur ALTANKHUYAG, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Mongolia.Another current world champion, TANAKA Shiho, made it to the final at -70kg. There she took on Aoife COUGHLAN and managed to catch the Australian on the edge for a yuko to take the top spot.She was awarded her gold medal by the Logistics Director of the International Judo Federation, Mrs Louisa AGIUS GALEA.The final of the -81kg category was hotly anticipated. Korea’s LEE Joonhwan against Japan’s OINO Yuhei.It was LEE who took the spoils with a thumping ippon!Gold for the Republic of Korea and a stellar day on the tatami!The medals were awarded by Mr Armen BAGDASAROV, Head Referee Director of the International Judo Federation.And Uranbayar ODGEREL displayed a textbook Tai-otoshi on his way to adding another bronze to Mongolia’s tally.The final day awaits!