Europe Makes Its Presence Felt on Lausanne Grand Slam Day One

The Lausanne Grand Slam brought Europe’s leading judoka back to a Grand Slam event on home soil after several months away. In the Olympic capital, the opening day delivered a competitive start in which Europe’s athletes featured strongly alongside a Japanese team that set the early pace.

Vorobeva, Primo and Liparteliani were among the names highlighted in coverage from Lausanne, as the event gave European competitors a fresh Grand Slam stage. The pressure of this level is familiar to many of the athletes, but competing in Lausanne created a different setting and extra motivation.

Japan finished day one at the top of the medal table with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Russia stood second with one gold and one bronze, while Georgia and Israel each celebrated a gold-medal performance.

That spread of results underlined Europe’s impact on the first day. Russia, Georgia and Israel all reached the top of the podium, ensuring that Japan’s early medal-table lead did not tell the whole story of the competition.

Europe’s judoka made sure Lausanne opened with more than one flag in the spotlight.

With further competition still to come, the first-day standings set up an intriguing Grand Slam atmosphere in Lausanne. Japan had the numerical advantage in medals, but European teams had already shown they could turn the event into a serious contest.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union