Gela Zaalishvili celebrates second Grand Slam victory
Top favourites in the heaviest category were defeated in an early stage, it was the beginning of a surprising heavyweight show at the Grand Slam in Tel Aviv. Lukas Krpalek (CZE) and Guram Tushishvili (GEO) were eliminated early, much too early if they plan to dethrone Teddy Riner (FRA), undisputed king of the category.
The final crowned Gela Zaalishvili (GEO) for the second time in a Grand Slam, who defeated Tamerlan Bashaev (RUS) and underpinned a glorious day for the proud Georgian team, with two golds and as many bronzes.
The Netherlands was another country that left Israel satisfied, thanks to the medals achieved in the last two days; the most recent, bronze, by Jur Spijkers, the one you didn’t expect to medal against Roy Meyer. Henk Grol didn’t compete in Israel having Masters bronze in his pocket last month.
Georgian Tushishvili came back in the repechage and tied up the bronze but left with a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |