A Team for the Final Has Been Formed in Moscow
146 boys from 17 sports schools and clubs of the capital competed on Saturday, November 22, for spots in the December final of the international project “Battle of Cities”, organized this year by the Russian Judo Federation and the “DobroFON” charity program.
Unlike the regional qualifying stages, the Moscow team was formed from the winners of the individual competitions in each separate weight category. The silver medalists entered the reserve and, under certain conditions, may also compete in the final.
“We already have positive experience working with the ‘DobroFON’ charity program: together we successfully held the team tournament ‘Battle for Moscow’,” reminded Elena Timofeeva, Executive Director of the Moscow Judo Federation. “Thanks to the support and initiatives of these organizations, young judoka from the capital receive not only additional competitive practice, but also a unique opportunity in youth sports to compete for material benefits — both for their sports schools and clubs, and for themselves.
Based on the results of the qualifying tournament of the ‘Battle of Cities’, we were able to form a strong team that includes boys who have already won medals at major national and international events, including Continental Cups and even the European Championships. In Sirius, we will fight for the highest places: the athletes are motivated and very eager to please their coaches, all Moscow fans, their families and friends. I am confident that an exciting final awaits us.”
The winners of the “Battle of Cities. Moscow” were: Ruslan Abdullnazarov (up to 50 kg, MKSSHOR “Vostok”), Mukhammad Gamzatov (up to 55 kg), Ramazan Bagammaev (up to 60 kg, both from MSSUOR No.1), Nikolai Dmitriev (up to 66 kg, MGFCO), Sergey Yakovlev (up to 73 kg), Nik Osmanov (up to 81 kg, CSO “Sambo-70”, Shabolovka branch), Apti Utsiev (up to 90 kg, CSO “Sambo-70”) and Pavel Kharlov (over 90 kg, MKSSHOR “Vostok”).
The final stage of the large-scale “Battle of Cities” project will take place on the tatami of the “Academy of Martial Arts”. The Moscow team will compete in Group “H”, where they will face judoka from São Paulo (Brazil), Volgograd, and Kovrov.
Source: Russian Judo Federation