00:00Judo Crazy Georgia hosted the first day of the 2025 Tbilisi Grand Slam.
00:05The young fans here got to meet one of their heroes at a book signing with double Olympic
00:09champion and national legend Lasha Bakauri. The stadium was brimming with excitement to
00:14see one of the most popular sports in Georgia. At under 48 kilograms, Ganbatar Narancetseg
00:20took on Eva Perez Soler, throwing and then pinning her opponent to secure top spot on the podium.
00:27She was delighted to take her second Grand Slam gold medal.
00:32IJF education and coaching director Mr. Mohamed Maridja was on hand to award the medals.
00:40France's Luca Macchidze battled it out with Michel Augusto of Brazil at under 60 kilograms.
00:45After a close contest, Macchidze scored with a brilliant counter in golden score.
00:51The home crowd showed their appreciation for Macchidze.
00:56He was awarded his medal by Georgian National Olympic Committee president Mr. Lery Kabelov.
01:04I feel very good. It was my first tournament after Olympic Games and I want to say thank you
01:11my coach Ludovic because it was a first tournament with him today. At under 52 kilograms, Amandine
01:18Bouchard faced Geffen Primo. Bouchard was making her first appearance back on the world tour
01:23since the Paris Olympic Games and wasted no time blasting her way to gold
01:28before a great display of sportsmanship.
01:34She was awarded her medal by IJF vice president Dr. Laszlo Toth.
01:42At under 66 kilograms, Abrek Naguchev broke Georgian hearts as he put on an incredible
01:47performance to defeat home favorite Timur Nozadze. A contest filled with non-stop action.
01:58The medals were awarded by Georgia Special State Protection Service head Mr. Anzor Chabanidze.
02:06At under 57 kilograms, Georgian hopes were pinned on home favorite Etiri Lipatiliani.
02:10After going behind, Lipatiliani showed incredible determination
02:14to turn the contest around and claim victory.
02:18She was awarded her medal by first deputy minister for sports in Georgia Mr. Erakli Mezmariashvili.
02:27Of course I was feeling the support from the crowd. I would like to thank my supporters.
02:32Without their support maybe I would have given up. They gave me huge motivation.
02:37Today I was able to win and the Georgian anthem was played in my country.
02:42The rest of the Georgian team dazzled the crowds with their usual throwing prowess.
02:47Always an exciting stop of the IGF World Judo Tour, today's judo showed why.
02:53Tomorrow is the middleweights with some big stars here to fight for gold.
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