Brazil’s Olympic medallist Felipe Kitadai seals emotional victory
London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Felipe Kitadai of Brazil achieved a career first as the 29-year old Brazilian ended an IJF competition day with gold for his country. After earning three Grand Slam silver medals, Kitadai, who was ranked a lowly number 33 at the start of the day, brushed aside Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Temur Nozadze (GEO) by two scores for gold.
First-time finalist Nozadze was stunned by the Brazilian who has given himself a fantastic chance to go on and qualify for Tokyo 2020.
In the first semi-final former world silver medallist Dashdavaa Amartuvshin (MGL) was launched by Nozadze (GEO) with a hip throw for ippon. In the second semi-final Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist Francisco Garrigos (ESP) was shocked by Kitadai who rolled back the years to win by ippon.
The first bronze medal was won by Osaka Grand Slam silver medallist Yago Abuladze (RUS) who beat Garrigos by two scores without reply. The second bronze medal went to Dashdavaa who narrowly defeated Tbilisi Grand Prix silver medallist Walide Khyar (FRA) by a waza-ari score to seal the final place on the U60kg podium.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |