The -81 kg category at the Guadalajara Judo Grand Prix brought its share of surprises and inspired performances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early on, the elimination of top seed Fran\u00e7ois Gauthier Drapeau of Canada set the tone for an unpredictable day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Azerbaijan’s Vusal Galandarzade seized the opportunity, progressing with confident, well-judged attacks that combined timing and power. On the other side of the draw, Finland’s Eetu Ihanamaki produced one of the most impressive runs of the tournament, his ability to read and counter his opponents\u2019 movements earning admiration across the arena. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their meeting in the final was a celebration of contrasting styles, Galandarzade\u2019s assertive rhythm against Ihanamaki\u2019s precision and flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But after just a minute and a half, Galandarzade took the lead with a sharp tai-otoshi, sending Ihanamaki rolling onto his side for the opening score. Less than a minute later, he doubled his advantage with a well-timed counterattack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came the finishing touch, a cataclysmic ura-nage that lit up the arena and brought the contest to a spectacular end. A breathtaking performance from Galandarzade, who closed the final with an emphatic ippon and a richly deserved gold medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men’s -73 kg category delivered a strong narrative of redemption and resilience. Hidayat Heydarov arrived in Guadalajara with questions hanging over his motivation after an early defeat in Lima, but the Azerbaijani champion silenced all doubts with a dominant run through the preliminaries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His precision in throwing and firm control on the ground reminded everyone why he remains the benchmark in this division. Opposite him in the final stood Czech Chusniddin Karimov, who continued his impressive rise after a podium finish in Peru, earning another chance to challenge one of the very best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midway through the contest, the balance between the two athletes was almost perfect, neither able to find an opening in the other\u2019s defence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each had received a shido, though that hardly reflected the intensity of the battle. Heydarov looked the more threatening on the ground, forcing Karimov to defend with remarkable discipline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the clock ran out, the contest moved into golden score. It was there, just as extra time began, that Heydarov struck. With exquisite timing, he wrapped himself around his opponent and launched a clean throw for ippon. The Olympic champion\u2019s joy was evident, a triumphant return to gold and a story of pure redemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the preliminaries concluded, the women’s -63 kg category promised an exciting finish, between two world-class judoka. Both Haruka Kaju and Jessica Klimkait had shown exceptional form through the day, Kaju demonstrating her trademark precision on the ground and Klimkait employing the strong momentum from her recent victory in Lima. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Klimkait knew perfectly well what awaited her, Kaju\u2019s ground game is among the most dangerous on the circuit, but when the contest first went to ne-waza, it was still the reigning world champion who took full advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transitioning smoothly, she freed her leg from Klimkait\u2019s grip and secured an unbreakable hold. The clock ticked down and with unshakable control, Haruka Kaju claimed ippon. This is a first grand prix gold medal for the Japanese star but almost certainly not her last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women’s -70 kg division unfolded much as expected, with world number one Lara Cvjetko (CRO) once again confirming her consistency and tactical intelligence. From the opening round she displayed calm authority, managing each contest with precision and control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dena Pohl of Germany, however, emerged as the revelation of the day, her sharp timing and determination carrying her through to a well-deserved place in the final. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opening exchange gave the advantage to the experienced Cvjetko, who scored yuko with a clean o-soto-gaeshi. From that moment on, the problem became almost insoluble for Pohl. Cvjetko\u2019s defence was compact, disciplined and precise, leaving no room for her opponent to break through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Controlling the rhythm of the contest, Cvjetko secured the victory and claimed the gold medal, a well-earned confirmation of her current dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. HEYDAROV Hidayat (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. KARIMOV Chusniddin (CZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. MAMMADALIYEV Rashid (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. HOJAK Martin (SLO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. LEMIRE Justin (CAN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. PARICHE Andres (VEN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. FERNANDEZ CAMPILLO Diego (ESP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. YONEZUKA Jack (USA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men’s -81 kg<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. GALANDARZADE Vusal (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. IHANAMAKI Eetu (FIN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. SVIDRAK Mykhailo (UKR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. CASAGLIA Leonardo (ITA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. TCKAEV Zelim (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. DEL ORBE CORTORREAL Medickson (DOM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. RODRIGUEZ Dominic (USA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. SILOT Johan (USA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. KAJU Haruka (JPN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. KLIMKAIT Jessica (CAN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. SILVA Nauana (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. SILVA Rafaela (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. SHEMESH Inbal (ISR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. KAJZER Kaja (SLO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. CRUZ Maria (MEX)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. AWITI ALCARAZ Prisca (MEX)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. CVJETKO Lara (CRO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. POHL Dena (GER)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. CARDOSO Kaillany (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. WILLEMS Gabriella (BEL)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. ESPOSITO Martina (ITA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. STANGHERLIN Giorgia (ITA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. SCHUSTER Kaja (SLO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. ERIKSSON Ida (SWE)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The -81 kg category at the Guadalajara Judo Grand Prix brought its share of surprises and inspired performances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[106],"class_list":["post-4847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","tag-judo"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN-300x196.jpg",300,196,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg",640,418,false],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"International<\/a>","tag_info":"International","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Vusal-Galandarzade-AZE-vs-Eetu-Ihanamaki-FIN.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4847"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4850,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4847\/revisions\/4850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Women’s -63 kg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Women’s -70 kg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n