Qingdao Grand Prix

In Chinese Qingdao penultimate tournament of IJF World Series 2016 was held. Qingdao Grand Prix takes its roots from 2009 and is one of the most "long-lasting" events in the calendar of the international Judo Federation. In the middle of November it gathered over 150 representatives from 15 countries on its tatami. Russian select team was the second largest team after the host team in China - 11 men and 12 women contested in 13 of 14 categories, and in the end of three day fight with 14 awards (4-5-5) took the first place in medal standings, having left behind even pioneers of judo - Japanese (4-0-3) and Chinese (3-4-8).

On top in Qingdao there were: Anastasia Konkina (57 kg), Abdula Abdulzhalilov (66), Uali Kurzhev (73) and Kirill Denisov (100). Silver medals went to: Islam Jashuev (60), Anzaur Ardanov (66), Anton Krivobokov (+100), Maria Persidskaya (48) and Galiya Sagitova (52), and bronze medals went to - Sayan Herteg (60), Said Amy Zhambekov (90), Maksud Ibragimov (100), Andrei Volkov (+100) and Anastasia Dmitrieva (78).

Anastasia Konkina, the winner of a similar tournament in Tashkent, was again the best in competitions of the category of 57 kg in Qingdao. In quarterfinal Russian won of Chinese Li on the observations, and in semi-final and final tours celebrated early victory over Taiwan's representative Lee and Chinese player Lin respectively.

Three years after victory on Grand Prix tournament in Miami Abdul Abdulzhalilov won the second gold from World Series competitions to his collection in China (66).

Uali Kurzhev (73), "Grand Slam" winner in Tyumen, won four tours in Qingdao.

Kirill Denisov, multiple medalist, put the fourth gold to the Russian score in Qingdao, first and so successfully tried, his forces in the new category 100 kg. Together with Denisov Maksud Ibragimov came on the top. In the semi-final he lost on the observations to Mongol Hutagu and won British Aviti-Alkaraz in the fight for bronze with an advantage in "Uko".  

A little bit was not enough for "gold" to Islam Jashuev in 60 kg category. Russian has collected all the scale of marks in the first tour with Korean Moon, in semifinal he was over teammate Sayan Herteg, but in the decisive tour he missed attack from World Vice Champion Mongol Dashdavaa and took "silver".

Russian super heavyweight man Anton Krivobokov won silver in Qingdao, the 3rd in his personal collection of World Series tournament.

Volkov in the battle for bronze was better than Korean Kim, having advantages in one "Shido".

Maria Persidskaya (48 kg) took the first of two silver medals for female half of Russian select team in China. This season she has won at the Grand Prix tournament in Tashkent.

Following the results of fight in the 52 kg category Russian medalist Galiya Sagitova won another silver medal.

After losing the first fight to Chinese girl Ma “vasa-ari” Anastasia Dmitrieva (78) lost hopes for gold. After victory by "ippon" over athlete from Taiwan Wang, in the fight for bronze Anastasia tactically beat Chinese Li and took third place in the 78 kg category.

Also losing in the first fight, but "having rehabilitated" in the group of comfort,  Said Amy Zhambekov (90) was on the third step of the podium in Qingdao.

The last tournament IJF 2016 will become prestigious "Grand Slam", which will be held at the beginning of December in the capital of Japan Tokyo.