Anna-Maria Wagner: Gold in the weight category -78 kg
Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany once again stated that she is a force to be reckoned with in the -78 kg category, as she was able to capture her 8th Grand Slam title. The Vice European champion has only missed out on a medal once this year and is without a doubt one of the strongest contenders to win the Olympic title in the -78 kg category.
Lubjana Piovesana: Gold in the weight category -63 kg
Austria’s Lubjana Piovesana could celebrate her second Grand Slam title this year, as she rose to the top spot of the podium in the -63 kg category - A result which, as well, will send her into the top 10 on the Olympic ranking list. Piovesana seems to be building momentum and is clearly one to watch in the -63 kg category.
Michaela Polleres: Gold in the weight category -70 kg
Piovesana’s team mate Michaela Polleres is one of the most consistent athletes in the -70 kg category and rarely misses out on a medal. This weekend, the Tokyo Olympic Games runner-up was able to capture the third Grand Slam gold medal of her career and raise the flag for team Austria for the second time in this year’s Dushanbe Grand Slam.
Lara Cvjetko: Silver in the weight category -70 kg
Runner-up in the -70 kg category was Lara Cvjetko of Croatia. The Croat has been struggling with injury in the beginning of the year but made her comeback at last weekend’s European Championships, where she was able to capture a bronze medal. This weekend, Cvjetko confirmed that she is back on track, as she made it all the way to the final in the -70 kg category and in the end of the day was awarded a silver medal.
Szabina Gercsak: Bronze in the weight category -70 kg
The -70 kg category almost became an all IPPONGEAR affair, as a bronze medal went to Szabina Gercsak of Hungary. The tall Hungarian has already found herself in three Grand Slam final blocks this year and this weekend, she could celebrate her second Grand Slam medal of the year.
Wahid Borchashvili: Silver in the weight category -81 kg
Team Austria could be proud to have not less than three athletes fighting for a Grand slam title this weekend: Lubjana Piovesana, Michaela Polleres and lastly Wachid Borchashvili. Borchashvili was able to pick up a silver medal, the third Grand Slam medal of his career.
David Klammert: Silver in the weight category -90 kg
Czech Republic’s David Klammert could cherish a career high, as he was able to make it to a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career. In the end of the day, the Czech athlete was awarded a silver medal, as well as valuable points for the Olympic ranking list. For Klammert, this result will give him a crucial boost on the ranking list and might be a deciding factor on his Olympic journey.
Milica Nikolić: Bronze in the weight category -48 kg
Serbian lightweight Milica Nikolić could add Grand Slam medal number 15 to her impressive collection, as she was able to come away with a bronze medal in the women's lightweight division. Nikolić is one of the most experienced athletes in her category and is en route to become a two times Olympian.
Iva Oberan: Bronze in the weight category -63 kg
Iva Oberan of Croatia could celebrate her first ever Grand Slam medal - A bronze medal. Oberan has narrowly missed out on a medal on two precious occasions this year but this weekend, the Croat had every reason to smile, as she was able to step on the podium at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. Oberan is one of Croatia’s two Olympic hopefuls the -63 kg category - Paris Grand Slam silver medalist Katarina Kristo, is also bidding for a ticket to Paris. Who of these two strong athletes will be representing Croatia at the Olympic Games this summer?
Congratulations to everybody from team IPPONGEAR, for the great results this weekend! We are proud of you! A lot of our athletes will be in action again already next weekend, where the last Grand Slam of this Olympic cycle will be held in Barysy, Kazakhstan.
