Welcome to Kazakhstan for the first day of judo at the 2025 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam.
Hosted in the Martial Arts Palace, the event featured some spectacular entertainment from local performers, and was officially opened by the President of International Judo Federation, Mr Marius Vizer, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev and President of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev.
Local fans filled the arena in anticipation of what was to be an action-packed day of Judo.
At -48kg Junior World Champion Xinran Hui showed her class with some incredible ground work, forcing her opponent to submit, earning her the gold medal.
IJF President Mr Marius Vizer awarded the medals, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERG Mr Shukhrat IBRAGIMOV, awarded the prize money.
At -60kg Iznaur SAAEV took on home favourite Talgat ORYNBASSAR, clinching the victory with a dynamic ko-uchi attack.
He was awarded his medals by Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev.
In -52kg, Mascha BALLHAUS of Germany fought Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ of Spain. With the fight going into golden score, Ballhaus utilised a great change direction, switching from her signature technique uchi-mata, to o-uchi-gari.
Scoring a Yuko, she earned Germany their first gold of the tournament.
She was awarded her medals by IJF General Treasurer Mr Naser Al Tamimi.
The -66kg final saw A perfectly-timed footsweep from 4 time grand slam winner Ramazan ABDULAEV against Kazakhstan’s Gusman KYRGYZBAYEV.
The medals were awarded by Kazakhstan Judo Federation President, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev
At -57kg Faiza MOKDAR of France met Momo TAMAOKI of Japan in a high energy final. It was MOKDAR who took gold, with waza-ari from a well executed seoi-otoshi.
She was awarded the gold medal by Harvest Group CEO Mr Almaz Alsenov.
There were more medals for the home nation with bronzes for both Magzhan SHAMSHADIN and Aman BAKYTZHAN in the -60kg category as well as a whole day filled with action packed judo keeping the fans up on their feet.