USA?s Gold Dreams Crushed as European Champion Ippons His Way to Glory in 2023 Junior Judo World Championships

?The World Judo Junior Championships 2023 are underway and the USA’s Judoka Jack Yonezuka placed himself in the finals. An interesting fact about Jack is that, although he is often considered a Japanese, he is not competing for Japan. Indeed, he is an American Judoka who has a distant Japanese ancestry. In addition, he has been portraying his exceptional skills and abilities in tachi-waza.?

Along the same lines, his impressive skills and exceptional approach have confirmed him as a quality junior not only this year but also in 2022. Thus, it is not a surprise that he is considered at the 38th rank in the senior ranking and 3rd in the junior category. However, the question is about this European Judoka who crushed the USA’s gold dream.?

Final Battle for Gold in the Judo Arena

In Judo, rising stars often leave their mark by showcasing their talent and determination. Similarly, the final match of the 73kg category between USA’s Judoka Jack and European Judoka was head-to-head. Although the first half was a draw between the two, the next half made an unexpected turn. Obviously, the 2022 European Junior Champion, Vusal Galandarzade, was waiting for a pick-up while Jack was looking to catch him on the floor. ?

Eventually, within 10 seconds, Galandarzade dived under Jack with a technique Seoi-nage that propelled him on his back for the next move, ippon. Consequently, it was a well-deserved win for Vusal Galandarzade. However, Jack Yonezuka settled for a silver medal in this judo tournament. Even though only one among two will take away the world championship title, both represent the next generation of athletes in Los Angeles in 2028.

On the same note, Galandarzade continued to make his presence felt, journeying from the European Junior Championship 2022 to World Champion 2023. His exceptional skills and dedication that he poured into the practice were quite evident in the game. Thus, victory served as a stepping stone for his future endeavors on the global stage.?

Where did USA’s Judoka Jack settle?

Although Jack has etched his name in Judo’s history, he eventually lost the battle to his European opponent. Thus, he has to settle for a silver medal as a runner-up to the World Champion Galandarzade. With his impressive track record and undeniable talent, Jack is undoubtedly a rising star in the judo community.

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Meanwhile, as the Olympic qualification looms, Galandarzade’s upcoming months will be crucial for his career. However, his dedication and work ethic suggest that there are more remarkable achievements in Sore. As the 2024 Paris Olympics is near, the quest for a spot at the Olympics makes it even more competitive. Thus making it of a kind event.?

As the spectators eagerly await the next moves of the Judo, one thing is crystal clear: Galandarzade is far from over. His future endeavors promise to inspire the younger generation of Judokas to become world champions. However, now the question is about the Paris Olympics 2024. Will Galandarzade be able to keep up with the heavy weight of expectations?

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