At the first day of the men’s World Cup in Oberwart in Austria, French
judoka Pierre Duprat, the U20 European Champion, celebrated his first
World Cup title. The 22-year Frenchman defeated Japanese Tomofumi Takajo by waza-ari in the final U66kg. Duprat was one of the few European who won a medal at the first day in Austria. Two years ago in Vienna he won a bronze medal.
Georgian Betkil Shukvani was able to win the U60kg weight class in the final against the strong talent Ilgar Mushkiyev (AZE). Two Koreans ended with bronze. Kim Won-Jin who last week lost the final in Paris and Jang Jin-Min who won bronze in the French capital now prolonged bronze.
Shohei Ono (JPN) also won his first a World Cup. Ono is the World Junior Champion of Cape Town in 2011. In the U73kg division he was victorious over Joo-Jin KIM (KOR). His compatriot Kim Won-Jung was third as well as Japanese Yuki Nishiyama, so a fully Asian podium.
In this important World Cup 388 competitors of 71 countries competed and some prominent fighters were disqualified in the strong field. Olympic Champion of Beijing Min-Ho Choi (KOR) lost in the 66 kilo class. Mongolian
Former world champion Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar lost in the
73-Kilo class. Also the local icon Ludwig Paischer lost his second bout.
Follow the second day on Sunday with the heavier categories for men.
Watch fabulous pictures in our media gallery:
