The winner of the qualifying stage of the project launched by the Russian Judo Federation, the charitable foundation “Cradle of the Fatherland,” and the “DobroFON” program — the “Battle of Cities” in Tula — was the team of the Moscow Region, which defeated the team from the Lipetsk Region in the final. The third ticket to the Superfinal, to be held in December in Sirius, was claimed by the judokas from the Vladimir Region, who prevailed over their opponents from the Bryansk Governorate.
The All-Russian judo tournament for boys under 18, “Battle of Cities. Center,” was held on the tatami of the “Tulitsa” sports complex during the November holiday weekend. It brought together ten of the strongest teams representing the Tula, Ryazan, Moscow, Bryansk, Tver, Oryol, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Kursk, and Vladimir regions.
The strongest team of the two-day tournament in Tula — the judokas from the Moscow Region — confidently defeated their opponents from Bryansk and Kovrov (Vladimir Region) in the preliminary stage and advanced to the final, where they prevailed over their counterparts from Lipetsk. As a reminder, the tournament is held in a new format for Russian judo, allowing athletes to gain maximum competitive experience: matchups between teams continue until thirteen victories in individual bouts.
“Judo is not just a sport — it is a philosophy teaching discipline, respect, and self-control, qualities essential not only on the tatami but also in life,” said the Minister of Sports of the Tula Region, Mikhail Trunov, speaking at the tournament’s opening ceremony. “This tournament is a landmark event for the entire Central Federal District and an excellent opportunity for athletes to demonstrate their skill, character, and will to win. I would like to express my gratitude to the Judo Federation of the Tula Region and its head, Viktor Dzyuba, for their tremendous contribution to the development of judo in our region.”
In two weeks — on November 20–23 — the “Battle of Cities” will continue. In Saratov, the best teams of the Volga region will be determined; in Rostov-on-Don — the South; in Krasnoyarsk — Siberia; and in Chelyabinsk — the Urals. Over the same period, the winner who will receive a ticket to Sirius will also be determined in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Source: Russian Judo Federation
