On Unity Day, eight teams fought on the tatami of the “Minvody EXPO” exhibition center for the right to advance to the grand December final of the large-scale international project “Battle of Cities,” launched this season by the Russian Judo Federation, the charitable foundation “Cradle of the Fatherland,” and the “DobroFON” program.
Teams representing the republics of Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia–Alania, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Chechnya, as well as two squads from Stavropol Krai, contested the medals. Following the group stage, the strongest teams proved to be those of Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia, Stavropol Krai, and Dagestan. In the semifinals, the athletes from Nalchik defeated the team from Makhachkala, and in the final overcame the representatives of Ingushetia.
“Such a representative tournament is being held in Stavropol Krai for the first time, although the region often hosts major competitions across various sports,” noted Ivan Nifontov, Acting Deputy Chairman of the Government of Stavropol Krai, World Champion and Olympic medalist.
“Judo is one of the most popular sports in the region, with more than three thousand participants. The Stavropol team, which consistently ranks among the best in the country, once again demonstrated its high level by securing a place in the finals. On behalf of the Governor of Stavropol Krai, Vladimir Vladimirov, I congratulate the winners and medalists of the ‘Battle of Cities’ and wish them success in the upcoming competitions.”
In the bronze-medal match, the Stavropol team defeated their opponents from Makhachkala and claimed the third ticket to Sirius, where the Superfinal of the “Battle of Cities” will take place from December 6 to 13 at the “Academy of Martial Arts.”
At this stage, participants from five divisions have already been determined. In November, additional qualifying stages will be held in six cities: Saratov (November 21–22), Rostov-on-Don (November 21), Chelyabinsk (November 22), Krasnoyarsk (November 22–23), Saint Petersburg (November 23), and Moscow (November 22).
Source: Russian Judo Federation
