The IPPON GEAR team could be proud of having qualified 20 players from 9 different nations and furthermore picking up 2 medals.
First and foremost there was a silver medal for Krisztian Toth of Hungary in the category under 90 kg. Toth showed good judo as well as a strong will through out the whole day, going into Golden score in all of his fights on his way to the final. In the final, Toth unfortunately fell short against the current World Champion, Sherazadishvili of Spain, but a great performance from the Hungarian who once again showed why he is one of the top players in this category.
In the same category, also David Klammert of Czech Republic had a great performance on that day, finishing just outside the podium with a 5th place. The Czech has been steadily improving through out the whole year and can be proud of his performance having beaten both World bronze medalist Kenta Nagasawa of Japan as well as another Ippon Gear athlete, former Asian Champion, Komrokshokh Ustopiriyon of Tajikistan who finished with a 7th place. Klammert was the last qualified player in the -90 kg category but did surely prove that he was worthy of the spot.
In the category under 70 kg there was a bronze medal for Michaela Polleres of Austria. The 21 year old is on great form having picked up two Grand Prix gold medals, a Grand slam bronze medal as well as the U23 European title only in four months time. It is safe to say that Michi had the best season of her young career and closing it with a bronze medal at the World Masters was just the icing on the cake.
In the same category, Maria Perez of Puerto Rico just missed out on a medal and ended her day with a 5th place. Perez had a good performance throughout the day and made it all the way to the semi final, where she lost out to the later gold medalist after a tough fight, which went into Golden score. In the bronze medal fight, Perez had to face Polleres. Another tough fight, which as well went into Golden score. Unfortunately, Perez ended up having to withdraw due to an injury, we wish her a fast recovery!
In the category under 81 kg, Matthias Casse of Belgium finished his day with a 5th place. The young Belgian had a great performance through out the day, beating the current European Champion Sagi Muki of Israel in the first round, as well as the former Asian Champion Dagvasuren Nyamsuren of Mongolia.
In the fight the for bronze, he narrowly lost out after almost three minutes in Golden score. Nevertheless, Casse can sure be proud of the season he had, having taken himself to not less than three IJF World Tour finals. The former Junior World Champion has surely made a great transition into the senior division - There is a bright future ahead for this young man.
Also Martyna Trajdos of Germany finished her day with a 5th place. Trajdos is one of the most persistent players in the category under 63 kg and once again seeing her in the final block on this stage was not a surprise. Trajdos narrowly missed out on the medal but can be proud of a strong performance.
In the category over 100 kg, Stephan Hegyi of Austria finished with a 7th place.
