Zagreb Grand Prix: Opening day round up

The opening day of the Zagreb Grand Prix saw five GB judoka in action.

Competing in the -66kg category, Charlie Young (Ryecroft Judokwai; Paul Young) overcame Lennart Slamberger (GER) in the opening round before securing his place in Round Three with victory against 6^th seed and recent World Masters 7^th place finisher Matteo Piras (ITA).

Young exited the competition in the third round following defeat to World Championship bronze medallist Karamat Huseynov (AZE). A waza-ari score down heading into the closing seconds of the contest, Young relentlessly attacked, but was caught and thrown for ippon score.

Competing in the -57kg category, Lele Nairne (Bradley Stoke; Pete Douglas) defeated Mariana Esteves (GUI) in Round Two, following an opening round bye, before a round three defeat to Seija Ballhaus (GER) by a single waza-ari score.

Also in action in the -66kg category was Michael Fryer (Rush Judo; Laurie Rush). Fryer overcame 2022 European Championship silver medallist Yanislav Gerchev (BUL) in the opening round after countering his opponent to throw for ippon score. Fryer bowed out in Round Two to 4^th seed Willian Lima (BRA) by a single waza-ari score.

Making her World Tour debut was Tatum Keen (Bradley Stoke; Pete Douglas). Keen had an opening-round bye in the -52kg category before facing Gabriela Dimitrova (BUL). The young Brit took her opponent all the way to Golden Score where she was awarded a third penalty shido.

Amy Platten (Redbridge JC; Guy Platten) was defeated her opening round contest in the -48kg category by Katharina Tanzer (AUT). Tanzer registered a throw for waza-ari score before securing victory with a second waza-ari score after pinning Platten in an osae-komi hold-down.

Tomorrow will see five more GB judoka in action. Preliminary Round action gets underway at 08:00am

You can watch all the action from the Zagreb Grand Prix LIVE at live.ijf.org each day.

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