The World Judo Tour returned to Astana this week for the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam, drawing a packed arena and a strong start for the host nation. Among the spectators was Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, alongside International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer, underscoring the event’s significance for the Central Asian country.
Gold Medals Across Weight Classes
In the men’s -60kg final, Kazakhstan’s Talgat Orynbassar faced Mongolia’s Sukhbat Byambasuren. Competing in his home tournament final for the second consecutive year, Orynbassar again settled for silver as Byambasuren claimed his first Grand Slam gold. The medals were presented by Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna.
The women’s -48kg final saw Amber Gersjes of the Netherlands take on Narantsetseg Ganbaatar of Mongolia. A single yuko was enough to secure Gersjes her first Grand Slam gold, with medals awarded by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yerbol Myrzabossynov.
France’s Blandine Pont triumphed in the -52kg category, edging out Khorloodoi Bishrelt of Mongolia by a yuko in a closely contested match. IJF General Treasurer Naser Al Tamimi presented the gold.
In the -66kg final, Uzbekistan’s Abdurakhim Nutfulloev used an unusual kata-guruma technique to score the only yuko against Saigid Kerimov, earning gold and celebrating with fans before receiving his medal from Almaz Alsenov, CEO of Harvest Group.
The -57kg final was an all-French affair, with Faiza Mokdar dominating compatriot Chloé Devictor. Mokdar scored early and pinned Devictor, leaving no escape, to claim gold. Benjamin Lakatos, Chairman and Group CEO of MET Group, an IJF partner, awarded the medals.
Home Team Success
Kazakhstan ended day one with two medals, showcasing the consistency of Kazakh judo on the world stage. The passionate crowd had plenty to celebrate, with the host nation’s athletes delivering strong performances. This event highlights the growing role of Central Asia in international sports, much like the recent Central Asian cooperation on environmental issues in Astana.
The Grand Slam continues to draw top judokas from across Europe and beyond, reflecting the sport’s global appeal. For European athletes like Gersjes, Pont, and Mokdar, the competition in Astana offers a chance to test themselves against strong opponents from Asia and elsewhere. The event also underscores the ties between European judo federations and their counterparts in Central Asia, a region increasingly engaging with the EU on multiple fronts, as seen in Armenia’s recent European Political Community summit.
With more days of competition ahead, the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam promises further high-level judo and potential surprises. The strong start for the hosts sets the stage for an exciting tournament.
