The IJF World Tour returned to Croatia as its capital hosted the first day of the 2025 Zagreb Grand Prix. Arena Zagreb was brimming with excitement as young judo-mad fans got to watch their heroes.
At -48 kg, Eva PEREZ SOLER was delighted to take her first Grand Prix gold medal. Two yuko scores proved the difference in the final against Laura ESPADINHA.
IJF President, Mr Marius VIZER was on hand to award the medals.
The -60 kg category final saw an all French showdown. Enzo JEAN took on compatriot Romain VALADIER PICARD. A very close encounter was decided by a single yuko in the final minute of the match. A clever counter from JEAN won him the Gold.
He was awarded his medals by Mr Vladimir BARTA, IJF Head Sport Director.
I love to fight here… last year I took a bronze medal, this year gold – I really love this place, I love everybody and you know in summer I trained really, really hard and Zagreb for me is my gift to this summer of hard work. So yes, for me Zagreb is really important and I hope I will have a lot of gold medals.
At -52kg Distria KRASNIQI was on blistering form, she swept past all her opponents including her long standing rival Reka PUPP in the final, extending her head-to-head record against the Hungarian to an impressive 8-1.
She was awarded her medal by IJF Education & Coaching Director, Mr Mohammed MERIDJA.
It’s great, I have good memories here. I became European Champion here in Zagreb and I like it. I always take a medal here and it’s also close to Kosovo, so it’s good.
At -66kg it was a thrilling victory for Spain’s David GARCIA TORNE against Italy’s Elios MANZI. The Spaniard using his trademark unorthodox style to devastating effect!
The medals were awarded by Ms Tina TRSTENJAK, IJF Referee Director.
At -57kg home favourite Ana Viktorija PULJIZ took on top seed Marica PERISIC! Perisic was too strong for her opponent, meaning it was a third grand prix gold for the Serbian.
She was awarded the gold by Croatian Judo Federation President, Dr Sanda CORAK.
The Croatian team looked strong on day 1. But tomorrow is the middle-weights, with some big stars here to fight for gold.