Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko and Ilia Sulamanidze Secure Gold at Baku World Judo Championships
At the World Judo Championships in Baku, Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko of the United Arab Emirates and Ilia Sulamanidze of Georgia secured gold medals in their respective weight classes. Lytvynenko's victory in the -78kg final marked the first time an athlete from the U.A.E. has won a judo World Championship. In the -100kg category, Sulamanidze defeated his opponent to upgrade his previous bronze medal to gold.
Key points
- Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko won the -78kg gold medal, becoming the first-ever judo World Champion for the United Arab Emirates.
- Ilia Sulamanidze secured the -100kg gold medal, improving upon his previous bronze medal performance.
- The championships are being held in Baku, with the heavyweight categories scheduled for the following day.
What happened
The World Judo Championships in Baku saw significant victories in the -78kg and -100kg categories. Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko, representing the United Arab Emirates, defeated France's Kaila Issoufi in the -78kg final. Lytvynenko secured the win with an o-uchi-gari that earned a waza-ari, followed by a second decisive score to conclude the match.
In the -100kg division, Georgia's Ilia Sulamanidze claimed the world title. Sulamanidze, who previously held a bronze medal, defeated his opponent in the final with a yuko to secure the gold.
Team or player details
Lytvynenko's victory is noted as the first gold medal for the United Arab Emirates in the history of the World Judo Championships. Sulamanidze's win represents a career milestone for the Georgian athlete, who entered the final with momentum after a strong performance throughout the tournament.
What's next
The World Judo Championships in Baku are set to continue with the heavyweight categories scheduled for the following day.
Why it matters
The results mark a historic milestone for the United Arab Emirates in international judo and highlight the progression of Ilia Sulamanidze from a bronze medalist to a world champion.
What we know
- Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko won the gold medal in the -78kg category at the World Judo Championships in Baku.
- Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko is the first judo World Champion for the United Arab Emirates.
- Ilia Sulamanidze won the gold medal in the -100kg category at the World Judo Championships in Baku.
How the story developed
Lytvynenko and Sulamanidze win gold in Baku
Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko and Ilia Sulamanidze secured gold medals in their respective weight classes at the World Judo Championships.
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