Judo World Cup Hungary 2023: Budapest has officially welcomed all levels of the circuit; a second home for judo. Buchard takes gold for France, Japan’s young Koga Wakana takes her first gold medal, and Japan’s Ryoma Tanaka clinches the master’s title.
Budapest. A city full of history and modernity, and also of dreams.
This weekend, Hungary completes its World Judo Tour. With the Masters, Budapest has officially welcomed all levels of the circuit; a second home for judo.
In -48 kg, the young Japanese Koga Wakana defeated the American Laborde with a seoiotoshi expert. The first gold medal for Koga.
The IJF (International Judo Federation) ambassador, Her Imperial Highness Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, handed out the medals.
The second gold medal for Japan went to Nagayama Ryuju in -60kg, besting Enkhtaivan with a sode-tsurikomi-goshi for a waza-ari-awasete-ippon; which made the local public go crazy. Nagayama becomes triple Masters champion in Budapest.
The medals were awarded by Taishan Group Chairman and Founder BIAN Zhiliang.
In the -52 kg category, Krasniqi, a four-time Olympic and Masters champion, faced Buchard, also a Masters champion.
The Frenchwoman Buchard landed a waza-ari that ended the contest and secured her second gold medal in the Masters category before his enthusiastic fans, displaying the values of judo.
Max-Hervé GEORGE, Managing Director of the Ultima Group, was in charge of presenting the medals.
“I am always happy to fight in the masters, because I love challenges and fight against the best judokas, so for me today it was very important to return to the top,” said French Amandine Buchard in an interview.
In –66 kg, Ryoma Tanaka in top shape all dayI only thought about gold.
An incredible ippon in the final against world number 1 Vieru secured him the title of master. An amazing result and a bright future ahead for Tanaka.
Tianjin Shengzhi Sport Ltd President Junyuan ZHANG presented the medals.
“It is the first time that I participate in a Masters competition. I have been training every day to become Masters Champion and today I have achieved it, so I am very happy,” said Japanese Ryoma Tanaka.
At -57 kg, Jessica Klimkait prevailed throughout the day. In the final she faced the dynamic Sarah Leonie Cysique, who also had an amazing day.
In the end, Klimkait surprised the public by scoring ippon in the golden score. It is the first gold for the Canadian in a Judo World Cup.
Mustapha Berraf, president of ACNOA and member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), delivered the medals.
He Hungarian hero, Pupp Reka, he was in great form, inspiring local judoka aspirants.
An amazing start for the Judo Masters. Join us tomorrow for day two in Budapest as the world’s best judokas compete for the prestigious title.
