Asahina Dominates Final Day Of Judo Open
With the 2020 games beginning to approach, the final day of the Openweight tournament in Marrakesh, Morocco, presented some of the key figures that may be standing with medals on their neck in Tokyo.
One of the shining stars to come out of the two day event would be the number one ranked female heavyweight, Sarah Asahina, who eliminated Idalys Ortiz in the semi-finals, and then would defeat the number two ranked Ceric Larisa, to take the victory on Sunday.
Asahina was never really in danger throughout the day, and in front of her doting father walked away with what would be her first senior world title. With that victory, the Japanese Judoka/ Medical student is being considered to be a serious contender for the title in Tokyo in 2020 in the +78kg weight category.
At the end of the second day of competition, IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer, declared:
“We have had two amazing days of competition here in Marrakesh on the occasion of the Open World Championships. Today, Sarah Asahina won the gold and yesterday Teddy Riner won his tenth world title. I want to congratulate both of them for their success as well as all the medalists and the participants. I want to thank the Moroccan authorities and to thank the Moroccan Judo Federation for having organized such a successful competition. We will soon be back in Morocco for some of our major events.”
Below are the results of Sunday’s final day of competition in the Women’s division.
FINAL
ASAHINA, Sarah (JPN) vs. CERIC, Larisa (BIH)BRONZE MEDAL MATCHES
CHEIKH ROUHOU, Nihel (TUN) vs. SAVELKOULS, Tessie (NED)
DICKO, Romane (FRA) vs. ORTIZ, Idalys (CUB)FINAL RESULTS
1. ASAHINA, Sarah (JPN)
2. CERIC, Larisa (BIH)
3. CHEIKH ROUHOU, Nihel (TUN)
3. ORTIZ, Idalys (CUB)
5. DICKO, Romane (FRA)
5. SAVELKOULS, Tessie (NED)
7. AGUILAR, Eliannis (CUB)
7. M BAIRO, Anne Fatoumata (FRA)
ANTON GEESINK AWARD GOES TO TEDDY RINER
Following his tenth world championship, Teddy Riner, was presented with the Anton Geesink Award, by the Dutch Federation President, Mr. Felix Thieme and the former Dutch Judo Federation President, Mr. Jos Hel, .
Anton Geesink was the first non-Asian who became world and Olympic judo champion in the heavyweight category. During the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 he defeated the Japanese Kaminaga Akio.
Geesink was three time World Champion, he got 21 European titles and one Olympic gold medal. He was IOC member, honorary member of the European and International Judo Federation and was a tenth dan judoka. The Kokushikan University in Japan honored him with the honorary doctoral degree.
Anton Geesink passed away in 2010. He was 76 years old.
The Anton Geesink award has been presented until now to Jacques Rogge, to Erica Terpstra and to Louis van Gaal. The fourth award was presented today to Teddy Riner.
Mr. Jos Hel and Mr. Felix Thieme declared: “The French heavyweight Teddy Riner (27 years old) is the most successful judoka ever. He is two-time Olympic champion (2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro). The heavyweight is the only judoka with 10 world titles (a record) and he also won 5 European championships.
“Riner is the Anton Geesink of his time. He is a well-trained top athlete who has, with his charisma, an enormous impact on young judokas. His popularity is so great that he is treated like a superstar in France and Japan.
“Just like Anton Geesink in his time, Teddy has been unbeatable for years. Teddy Riner has a brilliant list of honours, charisma, and his attitude on the tatami makes him an example for all judokas and an excellent candidate for the Anton Geesink Award.”
After having received his prize, Teddy Riner declared: “Who doesn’t know the name of Anton Geesink, in the judo world but also outside of judo? He is an icon, a hero of our sport and of all sports. I feel very honored for having received that prestigious prize.”