Japanese youth take home gold at day two of Judo World Tour

At -81kg Yoshito Hojo made his first appearance at the Judo Grand Prix in Portugal, taking home gold for his country,

Transcript

00:00 Welcome back to Portugal for the second day of the Judo Grand Prix in Odevelas.

00:12 To open the event, speeches were given by the Mayor of Odevelas, Hugo Martins, the President

00:17 of the Institute for Youth and Sports, Victor Pataco, the President of the Portuguese Judo

00:22 Federation, Sergio Pina, and the International Judo Federation Head Sport Director, Vladimir

00:27 Barta.

00:33 The ceremony started with a demonstration of the Avos do Judo project.

00:40 The Judo Club da Marina Grande implemented this innovative social project in 2022, with

00:46 the support of the Portugal 2020 Program.

00:50 Lucy Renschol secured the gold medal at under 63 kg.

00:54 She overcame an early Waza-ari by Katerina Hecker of Australia, due to Hans Sokumake.

01:01 Hugo Martins, Mayor of Odevelas Municipality, was on hand to award the medals.

01:08 At under 73 kg, Dani Lavrentiev claimed his medal with a stunning Ippon, demonstrating

01:14 excellent control and change of direction for his first Grand Prix gold.

01:20 He was awarded his medal by Vladimir Barta, Head Sport Director of the International Judo

01:25 Federation.

01:29 In the women's under 70 kg category, double world champion Barbara Matic achieved her

01:34 5th Grand Prix gold.

01:38 A tough match leading to Hans Sokumake for Gunalza Matnijazova.

01:43 Matic celebrated her victory with joy.

01:45 She was awarded her medal by Neil Adams, commentator of the International Judo Federation and World

01:50 Champion.

01:51 At under 81 kg, Yoshito Hojo made his first appearance on the World Judo Tour and claimed

02:06 gold.

02:07 A fantastic Ippon from the youngster.

02:10 The medals were awarded by Florian Daniel Lascaux, Head Referee Director of the International

02:15 Judo Federation.

02:22 I'm really very happy.

02:23 I've been thinking that this is going to be the start of a series of events for me

02:27 and I'm looking forward to turning this victory into more in the future.

02:39 The Judokas from Portugal showed their excellence and talent today, displaying some outstanding

02:43 performances with magnificent Ippons that inspired the local spectators throughout the

02:48 day.

02:52 That's it for day 2.

02:53 Join us tomorrow for the heavyweights in Portugal.

02:56 [MUSIC]