Tactical Pragmatism and New Champions on the Tatami in Abu Dhabi

The Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi has once again turned into a theater of tactical calculation and physical pragmatism. As the second day of the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam unfolded, the focus shifted to the middleweight divisions, where the margin between tactical brilliance and fatal hesitation is notoriously thin. With Olympic qualification points now actively on the line, the competition displayed a level of discipline that left little room for sentimental errors.

In the women’s -63kg category, Poland’s top candidate Angelika Szymanska demonstrated why methodical preparation remains an effective instrument of success. Facing Hungary’s Anna Kriza, Szymanska relied on the steady authority gained from previous victories, including her recent gold at the Lausanne Grand Slam. Scoring a decisive waza ari, the Polish athlete managed the remainder of the contest with calculated composure, effectively neutralizing Kriza to secure a vital victory at the start of the Olympic qualification period. The medals were subsequently presented by His Excellency Jabr Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of State.

The Portuguese contingent had its own reason for celebration in the -70kg division. Tais Pina confronted Brazil’s Kaillany Cardoso in a final that ultimately came down to superior floor technique. Pina executed an impressive turnover on the mat, pinning Cardoso to earn her first Grand Slam title in two years. The ceremony was conducted by Brian Lewis, former President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.

Historical breakthroughs marked the men’s events, starting with the -73kg weight class. Morocco’s Hassan Doukkali met Tajikistan’s Masudi Ahmadzod in an epic final. Doukkali broke the deadlock with a brilliant feint that caught Ahmadzod off balance, scoring a decisive yuko. The maneuver secured Morocco’s first-ever Grand Slam gold medal, an achievement honored by the Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Ashrafjon Gulov.

A similar demonstration of quick tactical adjustment played out in the -81kg category. Petru Pelivan of Moldova took on Finland’s disciplined competitor Eetu Ihanamaki. In a tense final, Pelivan struck with a clever ko uchi gari to score yuko, leaving Ihanamaki with silver while securing Moldova’s inaugural Grand Slam gold medal, presented by Moldova Judo Federation Vice President Victor Florescu. As the competition prepares to transition to the heavyweight categories, the middleweights have set a clear precedent: efficiency and execution remain the true currency of elite competition.

Written by Freya Stensrud freya.stensrud@alpineweekly.com