Roy Meyer celebrates gold with home crowd at Grand Prix The Hague

The Netherlands dominated the last day of the Grand Prix in The Hague. With three gold medals and eight in total on Sunday it was clear that the Dutch are still a powerhouse in judo. With five gold medals over three days and twelve medals in total the Dutch have a great showcase. The Grand Prix in The Hague will for sure have more athletes next year as the organisation set a great inaugural event.

The icing on the cake was Roy Meyer who celebrated his gold medal +100kg with the home crowd. A full packed house watched Meyer defeating Maciej Sarnacki of Poland in the final by wazari.

Aleksandar Kukolj of Serbia confirmed his number one status in the IJF World Ranking with gold U90kg. Kukolj defeated Magomed Magomedov and was never in danger during the day. He dominated and is fully back after a period of some backdrafts and injuries.

Russian Kazbek Zankishiev won gold U100kg after he overcame Jaokim Dvarby in the final. The Swede had a great day and impressed with massive victories. In his semi final against Michael Korrel Dvarby by ippon and sent the Dutch number one in the world ranking to the bronze medal contest. Korrel won bronze after a Dutch fight against Ferdinand Ansah. Jelle Snippe was another Dutch surprise, the 19-year youngster bested Ivan Remarenco in the bronze medal bout.

The category U78kg delivered the dream final between Guusjes Steenhuis and Marhinde Verkerk. Both top women qualified convincingly for the final. An all Dutch final between two warriors who know each-other so well, usually that impacts the beauty of a final. Steenhuis won the battle in de golden score by a penalty. Karen Stevenson claimed the bronze for the Netherlands, accompanied by Luise Malzahn (GER).

Tessie Savelkouls is on her way to a top position in the World Ranking. She won in Abu Dhabi and in The Hague she again topped the field. Savelkouls defeated Sandra Jablonskyte of Lithuania in the final.

Watch all photos from The Hague here