Doha: Spain’s Francisco Garrigos yesterday clinched the first gold medal in the men’s division of the IJF World Championships – Doha 2023 by defeating Uzbek Dilshodbek Baratov in the men’s 60kg final at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
It was Garrigos’ biggest win since he won the gold at the European Judo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, last year.
Qatar Olympic Committee President and Chairman of the World Judo Championships - Doha 2023 Organising Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed the top officials of the International Judo Federation and national federations at a Gala Dinner held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel, yesterday.
South Korea’s Lee Harim and Georgia’s Giorgi Sardalashvili claimed the bronze medals.
One of the biggest stars in the weight class, world number one Yang Yung Wei (TPE) who has 16 World Judo Tour medals, including the Olympic silver from Tokyo under his belt, suffered a shock loss in the hands of last year’s Asian junior champion Nurkanat Serikbayev of Kazakhstan in the Pool Stage in Round 3.
In round 2, the French Olympic bronze medallist, Mkheidze, was also knocked out after losing to Jorre Verstraeten (BEL), while world number 2 Balabay Aghayev (AZE) also exited the competition early after losing to Younes Saddiki (MAR).
Japan's Natsumi Tsunoda. PIC: IJF
Meanwhile, the women’s 48kg class final saw two of the best in the weight category, where the top favourite Shirine Boukliin of France, went down fighting to Japan’s Natsumi Tsunoda, the current and two-time world champion, in the gold medal bout last afternoon.
Tsunoda, who is enjoying an exceptional record on the IJF World Tour, winning medals in every one of her last 14 Tour events, breezed through to the final on day 1 in Doha, making light work of her opposition before overcoming the Frenchwoman.
Japan’s Koga Wakana and Italy’s Assunto Scuto won the bronze medals.
Speaking after the event, the Director of the Sports Committee for the championships Eid Ali Al Muraikhi said: “The Judo World Championship - Doha 2023 has kicked off with fiercely competitive matches. We’ve seen exceptional performances from all the participating athletes, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners."
Al Muraikhi also said that today's opening ceremony will reflect both Qatar and Arab cultures.
"We’d like to highlight that the opening ceremony of the championship will take place tomorrow, Monday evening. We’re looking forward to a momentous event that celebrates both Arab and Qatari cultures, while also serving as a global occasion.”
The men’s 66kg and women’s 52kg weight group competitions will take place today.
