00:00The final day of the Kazakhstan-Burizhi Grand Slam in Astana saw the heavyweights take to
00:06the tatami inside the Zhaksalek-Ushkemperov Martial Arts Palace, searching for valuable
00:12ranking points for World Championship and Olympic Games qualifications.
00:17Fans once again flocked to the stadium to witness the highest levels of judo.
00:21At under 90 kilograms, Yaho Varapayev faced off against Olympic silver medalist Eduard
00:27Pripl.
00:28A moment of brilliance from Varapayev secured him his first Grand Slam medal since 2018,
00:34and it was gold.
00:36Kazakhstan Judo Federation Vice President Sakin Musaybekov awarded the medals.
00:41In the under-78 kilo final, world silver medalist Zhenja Ma took on the up-and-coming German
00:47Anna-Monta Olek.
00:49Initially both athletes thought they'd scored, but it was Ma who was judged to have made
00:53an impact on the leg of Olek, and she took the victory.
00:57It's her first Grand Slam gold since 2022.
01:01She was awarded her medal by IJF Education and Coaching Director Mohamed Maridja.
01:07One man everyone came to see was Olympic champion Aaron Wolff.
01:11At under 100 kilos, he took on the exciting and dynamic Daniel Eich.
01:16After threatening several times, Wolff launched his trademark Uchimata to show that he very
01:22much intends to defend his Olympic title in a few months' time.
01:27The medals were awarded by world champion Maxim Rakhov.
01:34Judo is very popular in Kazakhstan, and I was happy to be able to compete in such a
01:38lively atmosphere.
01:41The stars came thick and fast on day three.
01:44Former world champion and category queen Romaine Dicot stopped China taking a clean sweep of
01:49the women's medals in typical dominant fashion.
01:53An arm lock forced Su Xin to submit, and showed that Dicot is always expanding her technical
01:59game.
02:01She was awarded her medal by IJF Sport Director Iskandar Hachicha.
02:07That was super cool, you know, because I heard like the people like, Dicot, Dicot.
02:10They said Disco actually, but that's okay.
02:12But yeah, the child was cheering.
02:15That was super cool, and I think everybody enjoyed this tournament.
02:18That was the first time for me, but not the last time.
02:20At over 100 kilos, Saito Tatsuru took on Tajikistan's Tamur Rakimov.
02:27One of the most exciting heavyweight prospects to come from Japan in recent years, Tatsuru
02:32looked in good form in his run out before the Olympics.
02:36A big display of emotion showing what this victory means to him.
02:40He was awarded his medal by Olympic silver medalist Dr. Ajka Dzhikhev.
02:46Well, that's a wrap from beautiful Kazakhstan, but there's not long to wait until more top
02:51level judo action.
02:53Next week is the king of all events, the World Judo Championships.
02:58See you in Abu Dhabi.
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