Sydney: Cypriot Judoka Giorgos Balartzisvili triumphed at the Oceania Open in the 66kg category, defeating Finland’s Luukas Saha, who is ranked No. 11 globally, in the final.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Petros Christodoulides also competed in the 66kg category. Fresh from his victory at the Lima Pan American Open in October, Christodoulides reached the semifinals but lost to Balartzisvili in an all-Cypriot clash. Christodoulides, who recently transitioned from the 60kg to the 66kg division, is adapting to the new category. He contended for the bronze medal but was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Chong-You Lin, ranked No. 52 globally.
Christodoulides, after his recent success in Peru, currently holds the No. 100 spot in the world rankings and is expected to advance to around No. 70. His rapid rise in the rankings highlights his consistent progress in international judo.
In the 73kg category, Kypros Andreou participated but lost his opening match to Australian judoka Kohsei Toyoshima, who later won the bronze medal.
Following the competition in Australia, the team will proceed to Japan for a one-month training camp and will participate in the Tokyo Grand Slam, scheduled for December 6-7.