Daniel Szegedi shines in Zagreb with U73kg gold

The second day of the Grand Prix in Zagreb saw Hungarian judoka Daniel Szegedi claim his first-ever World Judo Tour gold in the men’s U73kg category, defeating the experienced Giovanni Esposito (ITA) in a thrilling final. The younger Szegedi capitalized on a momentary lapse from Esposito, countering his first attack to score an ippon, marking a memorable victory for the Hungarian.

Esposito, a seasoned competitor and bronze medallist from earlier competitions, had progressed smoothly through the morning session, defeating opponents from Canada, Japan, and Israel. However, in the final, youth and quick reflexes prevailed, with Szegedi’s well-timed counter securing him his first medal at this level—a gold medal no less.

The bronze medal contests in the U73kg category also offered excitement. In the first match, Zelemkhan Batchaev (BEL) faced Ibrahim Aliyev (AZE). Batchaev demonstrated impressive groundwork, securing an arm-lock submission to claim the bronze. The second bronze medal match saw local favorite Robert Klacar (CRO) take on Bachana Bolkvadze (GEO). Klacar, energized by the home crowd, maintained a fast pace throughout the bout, eventually securing a beautiful seoi-otoshi for ippon with just 4 seconds left, delivering a medal for the host nation.

Another story of the day involved top-seeded American judoka Jack Yonezuka, ranked 21st in the world. Despite high expectations and a bronze at the Upper Austria Grand Prix earlier this season, Yonezuka’s campaign was cut short early in the day by Frenchman Maxime Gobert. Gobert's victory seemed poised to open the top of the draw, but he was soon eliminated by Batchaev, with the path to the final becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Esposito’s semi-final victory over Bolkvadze, driven by his aggressive engagement and sharp tactics, ensured his place in the final. However, in the other half of the draw, Szegedi’s surprising run saw him overcome Ibrahim Aliyev to secure his spot in the gold-medal match.

Szegedi’s triumph capped a day full of surprises and impressive performances, and his first World Judo Tour gold will certainly be a landmark achievement in his career.