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Double impact by Hungarian Krizsan and Csoknyai

Double impact by Hungarian Krizsan and Csoknyai

2 May 2015 18:55
by Mark Pickering - IJF
IJF Media Team / International Judo Federation

Rijeka 2013 Grand Prix winner KRIZSAN Szabolcs (HUN) defeated teammate CSOKNYAI Laszlo (HUN) in a repeat final and outcome of the Tunisia African Open. The Hungarian colleagues cancelled each other out for all five minutes and could only be separated on shido penalties. CSOKNYAI infringed on three occasions while KRIZSAN was only penalised once to send the latter onto the top of the podium in a result which will have domestic and international ramifications as both men move up the rankings.

KRIZSAN said: “This is a very meaningful result for me because there are three strong fighters in this category in Hungary and we’re all at a similar position on the ranking list. I have earned 300 points today and that is crucial for me to try and position myself as the number one at my weight. I have a good friendship with CSOKNYAI and we have a lot of respect for each other. I will now compete next week in the Baku Grand Slam and hopefully the World Judo Masters after that.”

 

In the first semi-final CSOKNYAI bested highly-dangerous veteran Antonio CIANO (ITA) while an all-Hungarian final became a reality when Khasan KHALMURZAEV (RUS) succumbed to KRIZSAN as the Russian was disqualified for a leg grab.

 

The first bronze medal was won by Astana Grand Prix silver medallist KHALMURZAEV who stopped Zebeda REKHVIASHVILI (GEO) from earning what would have been his country’s second medal of the day. The second bronze medal was captured by 19-year-old Frank DE WIT (NED) who produced a sensational display to defeat veteran CIANO for the last spot on the podium and his maiden medal on the senior World Judo Tour. With a 15-year age gap between them, DE WIT was able to squeeze out the win on shido penalties with one against his record and two against the Italian judoka.    

 

DE WIT, who stunned top-ranked opponents such as Travis STEVENS (USA) and Sven MARESCH (GER), said: “I’ve had an amazing day, especially the second round where I beat Travis STEVENS (USA) as that was very special for me. I’m really happy with what I achieved, I found it very difficult in the bronze medal contest against CIANO (ITA) because he was so strong, it was difficult to get a grip and attack but I got the result in the end and it means everything to me.”

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