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Grand Prix Portugal 2023 – Portuguese Patricia Sampaio the day’s hero

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The city of Almada was witness to an incredible final day of the 2023 Portugal Grand Prix. The stadium was full of fans eager to watch the heavyweights perform.

Under 90 kg class

Ivaylo Ivanov of Bulgaria defeated Hungary’s Krisztian Toth in the under 90kg category. The crowd in Portugal was delighted by their friendship and sportsmanship.

Skander Hachicha was the IJF sport director who presented the medals.

“In Judo you must always respect your opponent.” Ivanov explained that we are friends because of our age. “We both have children. He has and I do.” He was very happy, and sent me a text message saying that he was “very happy to fight with” me. This is the sport that I give my all in the fight and then we become friends.”

Under 78 kgs class

Patricia Sampaio, who competed in the category under 78kg, was the hero that day. She gave the home crowd exactly what they wanted! She looked determined to win the Gold for Portugal after tearing through the preliminary rounds.

Sampaio, who was fully focused, won the final with a tactical win, earning her first Grand Prix Gold. The stadium was in raptures. A great moment for Portuguese Judo.

Ines de Medieiros, Mayor of Almada presented her with the medal, and the stadium was filled to capacity for the anthem.

“It was incredible to have so many here,” said Sampaio. “I don’t live in Lisbon, but I live two-hours away. Two cars were full of people who came to shout for me with my family and club friends. It was incredible, it was amazing. I don’t know what to say about everything I heard from the crowd today. It was amazing.”

Under 100 kg class

Ilia Sulamanidze, from Georgia, defeated Japanese Youngster Dota Arai in the under 100kg category, securing his place as World Number One.

Carlo Knoester, IJF Refereeing supervisor, presented him with his medal.

Over 78 kgs class

Kim Hayun defeated Rochelle Nunes in the over 78kg weight category, ending Portuguese hopes of another Gold.

The medals were presented by IJF Refereeing Coordinator Cathy Fleury.

Over 100 kg class

Kim Minjong won four gold medals in the over 100kg category, putting Korea on top of the medal table.

The Portuguese team can be proud of this Grand Prix. With two Golds, one Silver and some passionate Judo they can count it as a great success. The Judo Family can’t wait for next year.

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Roland Garros qualifiers: Napolitano and Giant ok, Fognini out

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Positive results for the Blue tennis on the first day of qualifying at Roland Garros. Stefano Napolitano and Matteo Gigante, in fact, qualified for the second round of the qualifying draw, while Fabio Fognini was eliminated.

Napolitano, who dropped in the ATP rankings to position number 603, surprisingly overcame the U.S. Colton Smith, world number 162, in three sets with a final score of 6-4 4-6 6-2 after two hours and twenty minutes of play.

A three-set victory also for Gigante, ATP ranking number 167, who beat Swiss Jerome Kym, world number 123, with a final score of 6-3 3-6 6-3 after two hours of play.

Nothing to do, however, for Fognini. The Ligurian tennis player, seventh seed in the seeding, lost decisively to American Nicolas Moreno De Alboran, who prevailed in two sets with a final score of 6-3 6-2 after an hour and 23 minutes of play.

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A fairytale Monday for Lorenzo Musetti

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It is a fairytale Monday for Lorenzo Musetti. After celebrating his personal best ranking in the morning, hoisting himself to number eight in the world rankings, the Carrara-based tennis player announced the’arrival of his second child.

Through a post shared on Instagram with partner Veronica Confalonieri, the azure revealed that he will become a father again. “The family expands” wrote the couple under a photo showing little Ludovico, their firstborn, and Musetti touching his mother’s belly.

There was no shortage of reactions from her colleagues and former ones: from the hearts of Flavio Cobolli, Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani to the good wishes of Flavia Pennetta and Tathiana Garbin.

After his excellent results in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, the new world number eight has decided to withdraw from the Hamburg tournament in order to better prepare for Roland Garros, which kicks off on Sunday, May 25, on the red clay of Paris.

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Matteo Arnaldi recovers Gaston and hits the round of 16 in Geneva

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Matteo Arnaldi is off to a good start at the Geneva ATP 250. After a surprising elimination in the first round at the Internazionali d’Italia, the tennist from Liguria redeemed himself in his debut at the ‘Gonet Geneva Open’, defeating Hugo Gaston, world number 74, in a comeback.

The Blue won with a final score of 6-7 6-4 6-4 after nearly two and a half hours of struggle. In the first set it was the serve that dominated. The’only one to concede break points – two – was Gaston but the Frenchman saved himself and made the tie-break his own (8-6).

With the momentum in his favor, Gaston pulled ahead by a break in the second set, taking the serve away from Arnaldi in the sixth game (2-4). Here, however, came the Sanremese’s angry reaction, stringing together a run of four consecutive games (6-4), putting everything back on an even keel.

In the third and decisive set Arnaldi immediately escaped to 2-0 but was taken back by the transalpine (2-2). After another exchange of breaks, the’decisive stretch was signed by the Azure at 4-4, winning the last two games (6-4) and thus reaching the round of 16.

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