Post by Bloody Elbow Grappling Team Member and Judo guy Ananse
This weekend is the Dusseldorf Grand Prix, not the biggest competition on the International judo calendar, but one that still attracts some of the best in the world and a lot of younger prospects to pick up ranking points.
Day 1 was on Friday and had the following weight classes competing:
Women: -44kg, -52kg, -57kg
Men: -60kg, -66kg
The video of the final block is embedded below
The highlights for me include the return of reigning Olympic champ Kaori Matsumoto in the -57kg category. If anyone remembers my preview of the London Olympics, she is a weapon and equally devastating on her feet as on the ground. In the men's divisions, Japan continued their run at the lighter weights by having an all-male final at -60kg and Olympic bronze medalist Masashi Ebinuma picking up the gold at -66kg.
It does seem like after the massive disappointment that was the London Olympics, Japan seems to be making more of an effort to fight in Europe be prepared for the diversity of styles they will run across.
Day two should be of special interest to the Americans as the two best men in the US squad in Travis Stevens and Nick Delpopolo will be in action, as will Canada's Antoine Valois-Fortier, the Olympic Bronze medalist. the competing weights will be:
Women: -63kg, -70kg
Men: -73kg, -81kg
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