Abu Dhabi Judo Gran Slam day one: battle of the giants

The penultimate event of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, began today in the Emirati capital.

Transcript

00:00 Welcome to Abu Dhabi and the heart pounding action of the 2023 Judo Grand Slam taking

00:05 place in the Zayed Sports City. Get ready to witness the breathtaking throws and unforgettable

00:11 moments from the world's top judo athletes as they battle for gold. In under 48kg world number

00:17 one Asunta Scuto of Italy demonstrated why she deserved the top spot. A spectacular Ippon score

00:23 in the final against Turkish judoka Sila Ersin delivered Scuto the Abu Dhabi gold medal.

00:30 Celebrations for Italy. Marius Wieser IJF president awarded the medals.

00:35 At under 60kg France had a golden moment as Raval clinched victory over Brazil's Takaki

00:45 with a stunning Waza-ari, a first grand slam gold for the Frenchman.

00:49 Balazs Furies IOC member representing Hungary awarded the medals.

00:58 Oded Dejoufria IOC member representing France

01:20 An electrifying moment at under 52kg as the unstoppable Oded Dejoufria secured the gold

01:26 medal with an expertly executed counter attack. Her fifth grand slam victory she's truly a force

01:32 to be reckoned with. Obaid Al-Anzi IJF vice president awarded the medals.

01:38 In a gripping under 66kg final that went into golden score,

02:02 Georgia's Marc Valasvili pulled off a Waza-ari that earned him the gold medal.

02:07 UAE Judo Federation president Mohamed Bin Taloub Alderay awarded the medals.

02:13 In an epic showdown at under 57kg it was the battle of the Canadians,

02:18 Deguchi vs Klimkite. This intense rivalry reached a climax and the gold medal ultimately went to

02:24 Klimkite who clinched a tactical victory due to penalties. UAE Minister of State Jabra Al-Suaidi

02:32 awarded the medals. UAE's Namandag Bayam monk also made the home nation proud with numerous

02:42 big moments, eventually earning a bronze medal. Thanks for joining us today and we'll be back

02:50 tomorrow for day 2 of the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam. Don't miss a moment of the thrilling action.