The Zagreb Grand Prix Kicks Off with a Bang! Judo fans, get ready! The 2025 Zagreb Grand Prix's first day in Croatia was nothing short of spectacular, filling Arena Zagreb with the energy of young, enthusiastic judo lovers eager to see their idols compete.
In the -48 kg category, Eva PEREZ SOLER celebrated her first Grand Prix gold medal! She clinched the victory against Laura ESPADINHA, with two yuko scores proving to be the decisive factor in a thrilling final. IJF President, Mr Marius VIZER, had the honor of presenting the medals.
Next up, the -60 kg final saw an all-French face-off. Enzo JEAN battled his compatriot Romain VALADIER PICARD in a nail-biting match. The tension was palpable, and a single yuko in the final minute secured the gold for JEAN, thanks to a clever counter-attack! Mr. Vladimir BARTA, IJF Head Sport Director, awarded the medals.
Distria KRASNIQI dominated the -52kg category, showcasing her exceptional form. She triumphed over all her opponents, including her long-time rival Reka PUPP in the final, extending her impressive head-to-head record to 8-1 against the Hungarian. Mr. Mohammed MERIDJA, IJF Education & Coaching Director, presented her with the medal.
At -66kg, Spain’s David GARCIA TORNE delivered a thrilling victory against Italy’s Elios MANZI, captivating the audience with his signature unorthodox style. Ms. Tina TRSTENJAK, IJF Referee Director, awarded the medals.
And this is the part most people miss... In the -57kg category, home favorite Ana Viktorija PULJIZ faced top seed Marica PERISIC. PERISIC proved too strong for her opponent, claiming her third grand prix gold. Dr. Sanda CORAK, President of the Croatian Judo Federation, awarded the gold.
The Croatian team showed promising strength on day 1. But tomorrow, the middle-weights take center stage, promising even more intense competition and the chance for more judo stars to shine. What do you think about the Croatian team's performance? Share your thoughts in the comments!
