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UAE judokas will win big at Tokyo 2020: Sergiu Toma

Abu Dhabi - The Rio 2016 bronze medalist failed to get the better of Ukraine's Quedjau Nhabali in the quarterfinals

The UAE will win big at Tokyo 2020, Olympic hero Sergiu Toma said at the International Judo Federation's Abu Dhabi Grand Slam on Monday.
On the final day, Toma came close to earning a bronze medal in the 90kg category for the UAE but was nailed by Azerbaijan's Mammadali Mehdiyev. Toma stood tall for most of the contest but was felled in one quick move by the Azerbaijan judoka.
Toma, however, had a promising start to the day as he beat Belarus' Yahor Varapayeu and Kazakhstan's Islam Bozbayev in round 2 and 3 matches.
The Rio 2016 bronze medalist failed to get the better of Ukraine's Quedjau Nhabali in the quarterfinals. And in the Repechage match, Toma powered his way past Egypt's Hatem Abd El Akher in a taxing contest to set the bronze medal match but it wasn't meant to be his day.
Toma told Khaleej Times that he was upset at not having won a medal for the UAE in the tournament but was overall satisfied with his performance
"I am disappointed because I couldn't get over him and bring home another medal. But this is judo and things like these happen. Important thing for me is to take experience from here and prepare for the next competition."
When told about both Mihail Marchitan failing against Serbian Aleksandar Kukolj in 90kg category and Ivan Remarenco going down to Germany's Philipp Galandi in 100kg category, and not any UAE judokas doing well in the Grand Slam, Toma said such tournaments will help him and others to prepare for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
"This Grand Slam has been a good experience for rest of judokas. I think they have good chance to qualify to Tokyo 2020. I have full belief in our team. I will try my best to qualify for Tokyo 2020. Summer Olympics is going to be my big aim. All of us will give our best and bring a medal for the UAE. We have good chance to bring an Olympic medal from Tokyo."
Toma said his work of road to Tokyo continues.
"I am looking at Osaka Grand Slam in November and Paris Grand Slam in February next year. I will continue training and prepare for next opportunities."
In Toma's 90kg category, it was Russian Mikhail Igolnikov who took gold. In other results, Israel's Peter Paltchik won in 100kg and Inal Tasoev of Russia triumphed in 100-plus category.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com