Portugal's Fonseca delights home crowd on final day of World Judo Tour Grand Prix

It was the first time Portugal had organised the World Judo Tour but it ended with a fairy tale finish for homegrown hero Jorge Fonseca. Ippon after ippon, the double world champion flew through the preliminaries, clearly hungry to win his first Grand Prix gold in his home country.

In the final he defeated up and coming Swiss judoka, Daniel Eich, with a trademark moment of brilliance.

The ecstatic Portuguese crowd celebrated his victory while Vítor Pataco, President of the Portuguese Institute for Sports and Youth, awarded Fonseca his medal.

Speaking after his triumph, Fonseca said: “It was so important for Portugal to have this competition because it is a competition from the World Judo Tour, from the International Judo Federation, so it is very important not only for the growth of our national athletes so that we can win medals, but also for big events to be held here. And in regards to the pressure, no I didn't really feel the pressure. I just wanted to have fun and to give the spectators a show, and we did it together.”

Elsewhere, victory for Korea’s Hyunji Yoon laid the foundations for an incredible performance from Team Korea. She was awarded her gold by Catarina Rodrigues, Events Director of the Portuguese Judo Federation.

“I trained a lot to throw with accurate techniques and in specific positions. I also practiced how to solve situations quickly without panicking in all circumstances, all while trying to think strategically about various situations,” said Yoon.

In the -90 kilo category, Jesper Smink brought home his first ever World Judo Tour gold medal. A bit of quick thinking in the final saw the Dutchman topple his Italian opponent Christian Parlati. Director General of the International Judo Federation, Vlad