Japan’s Olympic selection shines, but Dicko looks unstoppable

euronews (in English)

The final day of the Kazakhstan Barysy Grand Slam in Astana saw the heavyweights take to the tatami inside the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, searching for valuable ranking points for world championship and Olympic Games qualifications.

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00:00The final day of the Kazakhstan-Burizhi Grand Slam in Astana saw the heavyweights take to

00:06the tatami inside the Zhaksalek-Ushkemperov Martial Arts Palace, searching for valuable

00:12ranking points for World Championship and Olympic Games qualifications.

00:17Fans once again flocked to the stadium to witness the highest levels of judo.

00:21At under 90 kilograms, Yaho Varapayev faced off against Olympic silver medalist Eduard

00:27Pripl.

00:28A moment of brilliance from Varapayev secured him his first Grand Slam medal since 2018,

00:34and it was gold.

00:36Kazakhstan Judo Federation Vice President Sakin Musaybekov awarded the medals.

00:41In the under-78 kilo final, world silver medalist Zhenja Ma took on the up-and-coming German

00:47Anna-Monta Olek.

00:49Initially both athletes thought they'd scored, but it was Ma who was judged to have made

00:53an impact on the leg of Olek, and she took the victory.

00:57It's her first Grand Slam gold since 2022.

01:01She was awarded her medal by IJF Education and Coaching Director Mohamed Maridja.

01:07One man everyone came to see was Olympic champion Aaron Wolff.

01:11At under 100 kilos, he took on the exciting and dynamic Daniel Eich.

01:16After threatening several times, Wolff launched his trademark Uchimata to show that he very

01:22much intends to defend his Olympic title in a few months' time.

01:27The medals were awarded by world champion Maxim Rakhov.

01:34Judo is very popular in Kazakhstan, and I was happy to be able to compete in such a

01:38lively atmosphere.

01:41The stars came thick and fast on day three.

01:44Former world champion and category queen Romaine Dicot stopped China taking a clean sweep of

01:49the women's medals in typical dominant fashion.

01:53An arm lock forced Su Xin to submit, and showed that Dicot is always expanding her technical

01:59game.

02:01She was awarded her medal by IJF Sport Director Iskandar Hachicha.

02:07That was super cool, you know, because I heard like the people like, Dicot, Dicot.

02:10They said Disco actually, but that's okay.

02:12But yeah, the child was cheering.

02:15That was super cool, and I think everybody enjoyed this tournament.

02:18That was the first time for me, but not the last time.

02:20At over 100 kilos, Saito Tatsuru took on Tajikistan's Tamur Rakimov.

02:27One of the most exciting heavyweight prospects to come from Japan in recent years, Tatsuru

02:32looked in good form in his run out before the Olympics.

02:36A big display of emotion showing what this victory means to him.

02:40He was awarded his medal by Olympic silver medalist Dr. Ajka Dzhikhev.

02:46Well, that's a wrap from beautiful Kazakhstan, but there's not long to wait until more top

02:51level judo action.

02:53Next week is the king of all events, the World Judo Championships.

02:58See you in Abu Dhabi.

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