The 2023 season for the IJF World Tour kicked off in sunny Portugal, and the stadium was full to the brim of fans ready to witness the first tournament of the year.
At under 48kg class, it was an all-Kazakh final. Abiba Abuzhakynova scored a decisive waza-ari on her compatriot Galiya Tynbayeva, but the two athletes displayed true judo values, with a great display of friendship and sportsmanship.Mr.
Vlad Marinescu, IJF Director General, was on hand to award the medals.In the under 60kg category Japanese youngster Yamato Fukuda stormed through his first-ever Grand Prix appearance.Defeating the experienced Francisco Garrigos with an excellent transition to groundwork.He was awarded his medal by Mr.
Juan Carlos Barcos, Director for International Relations of the IJF."Rather than this result giving me more confidence," said Fukuda, "what this really means is that in the future I will be sent to various competitions around the world, and I will represent Japan in each of these events.