Montréal, December 16, 2011 – The judoka Michal Popiel (-66 kg) saw his day end after just one fight, Friday, at the Qingdao Grand Prix presented in China. The Montrealer bowed out to the eventual 5th place finisher, North Korean Kuk Hyon Hong, losing by yuko.  Popiel did not receive a classification.

In the final, the Russian Alim Gadanov got the better of Pole Tomasz Kowalski.

“Michal dominated for most of the fight.  However, with about 24 seconds left, he was taken down with a yuko,” coach Sergio Pessoa Sr. explained.  Michal was injured when he arrived in Asia for this series of tournaments.  So even though he didn’t obtain a good result today, he’s going home knowing that at least now he’s healthy.”

Last week at the Tokyo Grand Slam, Popiel came away with a 9th place finish.

Saturday, Kelita Zupancic (-70 kg) and Antoine Valois-Fortier (-81 kg) will be the Canadian representatives in action.

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