As many as 446 athletes from 65 countries will take part in the Judo Grand Slam that will be held in Tokyo on December 2-3. Moldova will be represented by six judokas.

These are: Denis Vieru (66 kg), Ion Nacu, Petru Pelivan (both 73 kg), Dorin Gotonoaga, Nicon Zaboroshchuk (both 81 kg) and Eugen Matveichuk (90 kg). Now the Moldovan athletes are training in Japan.

“The Japanese athletes are very well trained. Their mentality is different from that of other sportspersons. They believe in their power and are confident that they are the best. I’m glad that we can train in Tokyo. The training sessions are interesting. The Japanese coaches teach us specific techniques,” judoka Dorin Gotonoaga, who this month has become European U-23 champion, has told IPN.