Athletes from all over the world in Antalya

For some athletes the Grand Prix in Antalya is one of the highlights of the season in advance, some use it as their preparation for other more important events. At the second day of the Grand Prix athletes from all around the globe will fight. The IJF spoke the athletes from Canada until Australia, all present in the Turkish touristic city.

U73kg Emmanuel NARTEY (GHA), WRL #171

35-year old Emmanuel Nartey of Ghana has an international judo reputation and lots of experience. He competed at many World Championships since 2007 and the Olympic Games in London. Nartey won various African championships and captured seven medals at World Cups all around the world. Emmanuel won the African Open in Casablanca in 2016 and is in the autumn of his career.

“The Antalya Grand Prix is the last tournament for me before the continental championships. At this time of the year when everyone is chasing Olympic qualification, every tournament is really strong but I think the quality and entry for this weekend is one of the strongest of the year so far. “

U81kg Antoine VALOIS-FORTIER (CAN), WRL #22

Canadian judoka Antoine Valois-Fortier won the Olympic Games bronze in London 2012, in Rio he finished seventh. Valois-Fortier fought in the 2014 World Championships final against Tchrikishvili and took bronze in 2015. He won 20 World Cup medals. In 2017 he won gold at the Grand Prix in Hohhot. He recently captured a bronze medal at the Grand Prix in Tbilisi in 2019.

“I’m feeling good! This time I hope to make it to my first final after being back. The camp was very strong in Georgia and it was ideal preparation. I made a priority to train with as many Georgian’s as possible.”

U63kg Katharina HAECKER (AUS), WRL #8

Australian judoka Katharina Haecker was born in Germany. She won the Oceanian title six times in a row since 2014. She is coached by Alexander Lüdeke. She took silver at the Grand Prix in Marrakech this year and bronze last year at the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi. She won six medals in the IJF World Tour.

“I‘m very good and excited to fight on the weekend. Competing at the Antalya Grand Prix is part of my preparation for the Asia Pacific Championships. I‘m certain that I‘m able to beat anyone on a good day and I‘m definitely ready to win my first IJF World Judo Tour gold medal.”

U70kg Yuri ALVEAR (COL), WRL #11

Yuri Alvear is the best ever judoka in her country. She is triple world champion in 2011, 2013 and 2014 and won bronze in 2015, 2017 and 2018. She won Olympic silver in 2016 in Rio and an Olympic bronze medal in 2012 in London.

“All competitions are very important for us. It is sports so winning and losing is part of it but I’ll do my best with my coach as always. I was just in Japan for a training camp and after Antalya I will go back there.”