Despite attack after attack from both judoka, many attempt that would have launched others, golden score was required and as the extra time began not even a shido could be found on the board, a testament to their skill and intent.
After almost six minutes total fighting time, Arai finally caught Savytskiy as he came out of an attack of his own. The de-ashi-harai caught him sweetly. Arai released a cry of satisfaction before both men smiled respectfully; this was a fight enjoyed by both men.
Gennaro Pirelli (ITA) was having a good day in Paris overall, reaching the final block after beating Kroussaniotakis (CYP), Baghirov (AZE) and Bifov (RUS) on his way to the bronze medal contest. There he found Niiaz Bilalov (RUS) who had come very close to earning a place in the final.
Both men worked hard to make space to attack but in their back-and-forth contest, no score could be registered in the first 4 minutes. Extra time was required during which both men came close to throwing but in the end it was a 5-second hold in Bilalov’s favour that decided the win. Pirelli finished in 5th place.
In the second bronze medal contest Simeon Catharina (NED) faced Nurlykhan Sharkhan (KAZ), another close contest that went into golden score. There Sharkhan raised his game and executed a powerful seoi-otoshi, scoring waza-ari. Sharkhan had earned a place on the podium and would be taking a Paris Grand Slam medal back home to Kazakhstan.
Final (-100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-100 kg)
