Korea takes gold at the World Judo Tour in Uzbekistan

After hosting a thrilling World Championship last year, the World Judo Tour returns to Tashkent.

On Friday, the Yunusohbud Sport Arena was full of enthusiastic judo fans who came to support their local heroes.

At 60 kilogrammes, Korea's Kim Won Jin showed great tenacity, beautifully changing direction, to overpower Serikbayev of Kazakhstan to take the second Grand Slam gold of his career.

The president of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, was on hand to award the medals

“As I got a great result today, I will enjoy it as much as I can and prepare for the next competition. I will try my best to get the gold medal again for the next event. This is how I’m feeling,” said Kim Won Jin.

In the 48kg category, Serbia’s Andrea Stojadinov displayed great judo throughout the day, facing Portugal’s judoka Cristina Costa in the final.

During the intense contest, Stojadinov leveled the score with just four seconds to go, forcing a golden score and then claiming her first World Judo Tour gold.

The medals were awarded by International Judo Federation (IJF) guest, Xinjian Zhou.

“My best friend found out seven days ago that he can't continue doing judo because of some medical issues and I promised him that I would fight for both of us. And I’m really happy that it ended up with a gold medal because I really wanted to give my best now that I know what people are going through and what can happen in life,” said Stojadinov.

Mascha Ballhaus made a statement in the 52kg final. Scoring an early waza-ari against two time World Champion, Shishime Ai, and maintaining the pressure to take what was an emotional victory and a first World Judo Tour gold medal.

IJF Vice President, Dr Laszlo Toth, presented the medals.

Tajikistan’s Nurali