XX1V International Judo Tournament, Lithuania

This was my first event in Lithuania and also my first abroad at -50kg. I was expecting a tough competition and camp but was surprised at the standard of the Lithuanian fighters. There are only 22 judo clubs in Lithuania but the standard is very very high considering these low numbers.

There were 22 fighters in my group.

Vladimir Proscenko (Latvia) First Fight

I started well throwing for a wazari, 2 yukos then holding Vladimir down for ippon

Ilja Bitarasvili (Lithuania) Second Fight

Ilja was from Georgia but now living in Lithuania. I beat Ilja with a strangle

Edgaras Lizunas (Lithuania) Third Fight

Edgares was one of the local favourites for the competition and I soon could see why. He was super strong and dominated the grip. It was no surprise that Edgares went on to win the Gold Medal. I came off the wrong side of a drop morote and was thrown for ippon.

Robertas Mingaila (Lithuania) Fourth Fight

I threw Robertas for Wazari then held him down for the ippon.

Maks Vrublevskis Latvia (Fifth Fight)

Maks was a tricky fighter but I threw him for Yuko then won with a sangaku strangle.

Anton Gorelik (Lithuania) Bronze Fight

In the bronze fight I was a yuko up before putting on another sangaku strangle right on the buzzer