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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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Monza, Alessandro Nesta and the special derby with Como

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So Alessandro Nesta, Monza coach, on the eve of the match against Como: “It’s an important match for us because it’s been a difficult season, we’ve been missing something. Winning a derby can help put a piece to the season, it would be important, we hope to do well.”

Facing us will be mister Cesc Fabregas who in the conference spoke of a Monza that was difficult to beat and that, net of the standings, put many teams in trouble: “I return the esteem because he plays great soccer, his idea has been seen throughout the championship. I have to congratulate him”.

The derby against the Larians will be the first ever in Serie A at the’U-Power Stadium: “I hope tomorrow will be anyone&#8217s day, anyone who wants to do their best to make history. If you win 1-0, 30 years from now we will remember that derby won because of a player. It&#8217s an opportunity to stay in the history of this club. I would rather win the derby than finish second to last. You are always relegated, but if you win the derby you stay in history”.

Nesta recovers, at least for the bench, Luca Caldirola, Andrea Carboni and Stefano Sensi. “What I try to convey to the players are the difficulties I had. I had surgery 10 times and stopped at 38. All players have difficulties, but it matters how you react to difficulties. It&#8217s easy to tell that I won the Champions League or that I won the World Cup, but you also have to tell that I lost a derby 5-1 and that I left the Olimpico in a helicopter. If you are given up for dead, you have to bring out the fire in you. Would I reconfirm myself next season? No, given the results”.

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Not just the Doohan crash: four red flags at Suzuka

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When there were 30 minutes to the end of FP2 resumed the activity on the track, interrupted for the Jack Doohan’s very bad accident.

But the red flags were soon back flying for the’Fernando Alonso off the track, ended up in the sand without consequences for driver and car.

The tow truck had to intervene, however, to pull the’Aston Martin out of the gravel. Meanwhile, Doohan is at the medical center for checks.

Moral of the fairy tale, the second free practice session was interrupted four times by red flags, two due to Doohan and Alonso accidents and two due to principles of fire on the grass at the edge of the track due to very strong winds.

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Federica Brignone’s first words after her injury

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Federica Brignone spent a quiet night at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan. The Fisi Medical Commission that examined her this morning is satisfied with her post-operative course. Later in the day, the champion from Valle d’Aosta will begin assisted physiotherapy.

The ANSA reported the first words after the terrible injury at the Italian championships in Val di Fassa of the winner of the overall World Cup, the second of her career, as well as the downhill and giant slalom trophies and gold in giant slalom and silver in super-G at the World Championships.

“At the happiest time in my career, it just didn&#8217t take, I had another month of work ahead of me and I was looking forward to it. Instead, I will have to face a new challenge in which I will put all of myself, as always,” Federica said.

“The track conditions were great, I was fine, and if I went back I would do everything the same again….trying, however, not to fall!” added Federica finding the strength to joke.

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