The first day of competition at the Centro de Treinamento Paralímpico de São Paulo, venue for the 2022 IBSA Judo Grand Prix Brazil, was dedicated to the lightweight categories in J1 and J2 classes.

There were some surprises regarding new winners, like Marcos Blanco, from Venezuela, who got the final victory in combat against Faical Chebieb. The world ranking leader in the -73kg category, the Romanian Alex Bologa, won the access to the final, but due to a calf injury couldn’t face the home judoka Rayfran Pontes, which doesn’t put the leadership in danger just before the World Championships in Baku.

In J2 classes, the Kazakhstan ladies were dominant. In both categories decided this Saturday, Akmaral Nauatbek (-48kg) and Dayana Fedossova (-57kg) beat the competition. In the J1 class, the Brazilian Rosicleide Andrade confirmed her undefeated status to Baku, and Priscilla Gagne, from Canada, got the first place against the South American competition from Argentina (2.º) and Brazil (3.º).

Here are the final results of Day 1:

Men (J1)
-60kg
1st: Marcos Blanco (VEN)
2nd: Faical Chebieb (ALG)
3rd: Roberto Paixão (BRA)
3rd: Yonaldy Gonzalez (CUB)

-73kg
1st: Rayfran Pontes (BRA)
2nd: Alex Bologa (ROU)
3rd: Yergali Shamey (KAZ)
3rd: Harlley Arruda (BRA)

Men (J2)
-60kg
1st: Ishak Ouldkouider (ARG)
2nd: Thiego Marques (BRA)
3rd: Bryan Aburto (MEX)

-73kg
1st: Mouloud Moula (ALG)
2nd: Nathan Petit (FRA)
3rd: Azamat Nokushev (KAZ)

Women (J1)
-48kg
1st: Rosicleide Andrade (BRA)
2nd: Rocio Ledesma (ARG)

-57kg
1st: Priscilla Gagne (CAN)
2nd: Paula Gomez (ARG)
3rd: Benilce Lourenço (BRA)

Women (J2)
-48kg
1st: Akmaral Nauatbek (KAZ)
2nd: Carmen Brussig (SUI)
3rd: Giulia Pereira (BRA)

-57kg
1st: Dayana Fedossova (KAZ)
2nd: Laura Gonzalez (ARG)
3rd: Lúcia Araújo (BRA)

Photo: Tuane Fernandes/CBDV