Dusseldorf,
15 February 2012. The Judo Grand Prix in Dusseldorf (18/19 February
2012) breaks all records: There are eleven Olympic, 21 World and 40
European champions among the 677 entries from 97 nations. The competing
judoka have amassed altogether 34 Olympic and 166 World championship
medals as well as 85 European titles. “The Judo Grand Prix in Dusseldorf
sets new standards this year”, says DJB President Peter Frese. “The
sporting quality is unique and stands out.”
Among the
international top stars in the women’s event are – among others –
Romania’s Alina Dumitru (-48 kg), 2008 Olympic champion, three-time
World bronze medallist and seven-time European champion; and Spain’s
Isabel Fernandez (-57 kg), 2000 Olympic and six-time European champion.
The now 40-year-old was World champion as far back as 1997 and is
striving for her fifth Olympics.
Greece’s Ilias Iliadis (-90 kg),
2004 Olympic and two-time World champion; Russia’s Alexander Mikhaylin
(+100 kg), three-time World and five-time European champion; and Japan’s
super star Keiji Suzuki (+100 kg), 2004 Olympic and two-time World
champion, head the field in the men’s event at Mitsubishi Electric
HALLE.
In heavyweight, the two last mentioned athletes will meet
Germany’s two-time World runner-up Andreas Toelzer, who achieved the
only German triumph in Dusseldorf last year when he defeated Suzuki in
the final. Toelzer’s team-mate Ole Bischof (-81 kg) underlined his
Olympic ambitions with his win at the Judo Grand Slam in Paris last
week. “I am currently in a very good shape”, the 2008 Olympic champion
disclosed. The German Judo Federation, DJB, have entered 51 athletes –
28 women and 23 men – for their home Grand Prix. France will be
represented by the second-largest team (28) followed by the Netherlands
(26) and Russia (24).
“Our athletes’ main goal in Dusseldorf are
the Olympics. On the one hand they will try to improve their own points
in the qualification and keep the competitors at a distance, on the
other hand to get among the best eight in the qualifying rankings, for
the top eight will be seeded in London,” said DJB Sports Director
Manfred Birod. “We are currently reckoning with five categories in the
men’s as well as the women’s event for London. However, there is still
potential for more.”
Due to the large number of entries the
starting times of the Judo Grand Prix, organised by the German Judo
Federation in co-operation with sportAgentur Dusseldorf GmbH and
supported by the county of North-Rhine Westphalia, have been slightly
altered. Starting times on Saturday and Sunday have been brought forward
by one hour to 8:30hrs; the finals have been postponed by one hour
beginning at 17:00hrs on both days. The hotel contingent has been
increased once more. The athletes and officials will be accommodated at
altogether six Dusseldorf hotels.
The “Judo Week” in Dusseldorf
has already been opened last Sunday with a U17 training camp at
athletica. 87 teachers took part in an advanced training course on
Monday, and more than 100 pupils from 16 primary schools are competing
at the Judo School Cup on Wednesday.
After the Judo Grand Prix an
international training camp with the national and international
competitors of the Grand Prix will be held at athletica.
Further information about the 2012 Judo Grand Prix Dusseldorf on the Internet at www.judo-grandprix.de
Ticket Information
Further information and ticket reservations at www.judo-grandprix.de, online at d:ticket and on the hotline +49 1805 – 644332 .
Students up to 16 years of age pay 12 Euro at the box office; all-event
ticket 19 Euro; adult tickets cost 20 Euro per day, all-event ticket 35
Euro.
Contact:
Harald Gehring
Tel.: +49 179 / 4977860
Email: harald@gehring-sport-medien.de
