JUDO
FEDERATION

Press-conference in the run-up to the “Fires of Magnitka” International Judo tournament, devoted to the memory of deserved coach of Republic of Kazakhstan Amantai Aidarkhanov, was carried out on October, 24 in Temirtau.

Judokas meet in fights on the tatami today. The best of the best ones will walk up the honorary pedestal this evening. On the whole, 400 sportsmen from 9 countries of CIS will participate in the tournament.

According to the Head referee of the competitions Sergey Dmitrienko, this year the geography of the tournament was widened:

- The competitions are carried out for thirteenth time, and have the international status for five years in succession. I’m glad that the teams from Greece and Georgia joined us. Sportsmen from Ukraine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia visit the tournament every year. Also, all regions of Kazakhstan field the teams.

The tournament will be held for two days. Judokas in the weight classes up to 44 kg, 50 kg, 55 kg and 60 kg perform on October, 25. The sportsmen in heavyweight classes perform on the second day. Totally, there seven weight classes among men and two weight classes among women.

Dauren Esimkhanov, the head of department on physical culture and sport of Temirtau:

- I would like to note, that there are no analogues for this tournament in Central Asia. We express great thanks to Nurken Ertaevich Sultanov, the head of Temirtau, for support of sport initiatives. I wish the sportsmen good luck on tatami.

Aleksey Lomakin, the director of the “Fires of Magnitka” tournament:

- I appeal to parents of sportsmen, as well as to everybody who doesn’t have an opportunity to visit this event personally. Everyone, who wishes, can watch the “Fires of Magnitka” tournament at home, in online regime on ogni-judo.kz, tmk-mk.kz web-sites.