“Raz Hershko gave an amazing performance today. She used different techniques including morote, osoto and many more. It was very beautiful judo. Congratulations to her. In the final with Sayit (TUR) she didn't throw as she had earlier in the day but she played an intelligent game and gave her home crowd exactly what they wanted. She will always be good to watch because she delights in the show as much as the judo and it's a good combination with which to publicise our sport.
Gviniashvili gave big explosive movements throughout the day, employing power just as a judoka should. He had a very tough fight against the offensive judo of the Ukrainian who really wanted to throw the Georgian. With both judoka wanting the ippon win we were given a sincere contest full of positive energy. Two men with the same good judo spirit will always bring a beautiful fight. If two want to throw, it’s always amazing.
Parlati (ITA) brought his o-uchi so so well against everyone, to score or to set-up. He seems to find an easy route to it no matter what gripping he has to deal with from an opponent. Not many can make it look easy to throw Sami Chouchi (BEL) but Parlati did today and that was impressive.
Education is happening at quite a rate all over the world, with the IJF Academy. We see more and more that the coaches are calm, engaged with their athletes and always showing respect to the decision of referees. There will always be moments of frustration but this is decreasing as the video review system and the panel of experts become more and more innovative in the search for fairness and the best judo.
With just a little patriotism I must look at the French team and how they have performed today. It’s good to see Malonga (FRA) in the final. After being world champion and an Olympic medallist it can be difficult to sustain the highest level and she has had some ups and downs but today she looks very strong and has employed technique, physical readiness and a good manner. A silver medal is a great reward and her final against Bellandi showed them both in a good light.
We also found Sanal (FRA) in the final block at +100kg. He is not well known but it speaks well of French judo to have a new heavyweight man pushing at the medals. I hope we see him more in the future.”
The Tel Aviv Grand Slam is over for another year but it has been an electric tournament, one the hosts can be proud of. Next up, in the World Judo Tour, is the Tashkent Grand Slam at the beginning of March. Look out for it online; Uzbekistan always raises our heart rate!