Distria Krasniqi grabs Grand Slam gold and no one is surprised

Kosovar judoka Distria Krasniqi does not need to be introduced, but in case there is someone clueless, let them know that she is the Olympic champion at U48kg, who now walks her resumé in this category.

At the Grand Slam of Tbilisi Reka Pupp was her opponent in the final. Pupp is a twenty-five-year-old Hungarian who, through hard work, has reached third place in the world ranking. The road to the final was smooth and pleasant, but there was a significant toll in the semi-finals. Krasniqi's toll was France's Astride Gneto, who has been in the best shape of her life for a few months. Pupp's was the Spanish Estrella López Sheriff, who seeks to recover the regularity that in 2021 allowed her to win medals.

Krasniqi gave Pupp no ​​chance of victory. A minute and a half to feel it out, then waza-ari immediately followed by osae-komi, like it was a workout. Krasniqi is completing a thorough preparation for the world championships and is following the plan to the letter. France added a second medal with Astride Gneto, who dominated her compatriot Léonie González and Spain also offers thanks to Estrella López Sheriff. Copy and paste, in case it wasn't clear.

Krasniqi: “Honestly I was afraid a little bit to be more soft (after warming up with Pupp). But no, your mind change when you step on the mat. So I wanted to win and last time I lost against her so I wanted to have my revenge. We warm up together and we respect each other but this is what we do, we are professional”.