Sagi Muki delivers for Israel at maiden Grand Prix

The full crowd cheered when Sagi Muki took the third gold medal for Israel at this first Grand Prix in Tel Aviv and first ever World Tour event in Israel. The crowd cheered all day but the Shlomo Group Arena exploded when Muki threw Ivaylo Ivanov in the final U81kg in the last contest of the day.

It weren’t the opponents, it was Sagi Muki who was sp good whole day and showcased his strong Sode Tsuri Gomi Goshi on various opponents who can’t handle the strength of this strong technique where you can hardly defend as from the beginning Muki dominates the grip in multiple variations.

Muki also won the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi last year and took a very sweet European title here in Tel Aviv as well where the crowd absolutely loves judo and understand all assets of the game.

Tohar Butbul was celebrated when he won the bronze medal U73kg. Israel now leads the medal table with three gold medals, two silver and one bronze.

Vadzim Shoka of Belarus was the surprising winner U73kg today in the final against young Giovanni Esposito (ITA). Maria Centracchio added a second gold medal for Italy and it was huge success for the Italian who seemed to found her ideal weight class in the U63kg. Her form grew in Tashkent last year winning silver and she was extremely useful in the Champions League medal for Croatian club Vinkovci but today was the ultimate victory against Inbal Shemesh from Israel who also surprised today in this strong weight class.

Swedish Anna Bernholm from Sweden was the clear winner U70kg with fine judo and a superb finish against Junior World Champion Alice Bellandi (ITA) marking her 15^th World Cup medal, second World Tour gold and 11^th World Tour medal.