Fantastic day for the home crowd on the second day of the Judo Grand Prix in Croatia

Biggest action was on display on the second day of the Judo Grand Prix in the Croatian capital, Zagreb.

At the official opening ceremony, Tomo Medved, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, gave a speech, along with Laszlo Toth, Vice President of the International Judo Federation and President of the European Judo Union.

Also present was Sanda Čorak, Director of Education of the International Judo Federation and President of the Croatian Judo Federation.

They attended a special demonstration by the Judo Club for Persons with Disabilities FUJI.

In the competition, in the under -63kg category, Canadian Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard had a phenomenal day, taking her second World Tour title.

Tomo Medved, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, was present to award the medals

Italy’s world silver medalist Manuel Lombardo has caused a sensation since he moved up a weight class, but gold at -73 kg had eluded him until now. He won the final in the first exchange.

He received his medals from Lisa Allan and later spoke about his hopes for the World Championships.

“I have 100% in the final block for the World Championships, but 100% in the final block lost, so I will try to do better in Tashkent,” Lombardo said.

Croatia’s world champion Barbara Matic herself has been in the spotlight a lot.

With the nation’s hopes pinned on her, she came out strong, with spectacular Ippons, earning a place in the final.

There she met German Miriam Butkereit, where a decisive score gave her the gold medal in front of her adoring fans, a great time for Croatian judo and an opportunity for autographs and selfies for the next generation of Croatian judoka.

She was awarded the medal by Yasuhiro Yamashita, a member of the CE IJF and a member of the International Olympic Committee.

“I’m glad everyone is praising my name, it’s like a motivation for me, so that’s okay, yes,” said an excited Matic.

At under -81 kg, Frenchman Alpha Djalo was the fit man.

The French explosive flew into the final where he faced former world champion and Olympic silver medalist Saied Mollaei.

A moment of pure dynamism earned him the decisive score and earned Djalo his first ever World Tour gold medal.

Florin Daniel Lascau, IJF Chief Referee, awarded the medals.

With Matic in the spotlight he didn’t stop the rest of the team from performing – the IJF move of the day came from Iva Oberan with this awesome Ippon giving local fans even more to cheer for – a great way to end day two of the Zagreb Grand Prix.