22 November 2009
France won two gold and two bronze medals to log four points in the two-day event. The Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Prix 2009 is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC). Around 250 competitors from 38 countries are taking part in the Grand Prix.
Japan are placed second on the table after winning two gold medals and one silver medal. Japan are followed by Belgium, who too won two gold and one silver medal.
Spain and Ukraine occupy the third fourth and fifth positions, having won one gold and silver. Hungary are placed sixth after winning a gold.
Among the Arab countries, Egypt are placed 12th after winning a bronze. UAE are placed 16th. Morocco, Iraq and Qatar are placed 13th, 14th and 15th respectively. The teams clinched fifth position in weight ranking before the end of the preliminary round of the championship. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen make up the lower order after failing to achieve any point during the preliminary rounds.
The first three winners of each weight division got various medals and cash prizes with the gold medallist taking home a cash prize of $5,000 plus a certificate of merit and a token of flowers in accordance with the tradition of the International Judo Federation (IJF).
Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Darae, chairman of the UAE Wrestling, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Association gave away the prizes. Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, Shaikha Naema Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Chairperson of the Kuwait Women’s Sports Association and Committee Chairperson of the GCC Women Sports, Obaid Al Anazi, Chairman of the Asian Judo Federation, Salim Sheboub, Chairman of the Tunisian National Olympic Committee and member of the Honorary Board of the IJF and the Spanish National Olympic Committee Chairman were present.
The championship features bouts in various weight divisions with the men clashing in seven different weight divisions, including 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and above 100kg divisions. The women will also clash in seven divisions, including 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 70kg, 78kg and above 78kg divisions.
The event has attracted great interest from the IJF-ranked wrestlers as the new IJF ranking system will start operating from the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Prix 2009.
The overall best performer in the championship will pocket a prize of $30,000 in accordance with the new IJF system.
