Final: Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO) vs Dota Arai (JPN)
In a technical and tactical battle, there was no telling which way the contest would go. Prior to the 2026 World Championships, Sulamanidze and Arai have fought twice before, both wins going to Georgia.
There was no shortage of action but the final decision took a short while to arrive. An attack from Arai appeared to have scored but upon review could be seen to have ended without his control. In fact, Sulamanidze had taken the control, driving Arai onto one hip and therefore the yuko was given to him.
“I don’t know what I feel,” said Ilia Sulamanidze. “I’ve waited so long for this day. I felt it was my score. I’m the world champion!”
Bronze medal contest: Niiaz Bilalov (RUS) vs Arman Adamian (RUS)
In this all-Russian liaison, Niiaz Bilalov should have been the underdog but he seemed uninterested in that label and worked hard to dominate. Adamian put in some strong attacks but his countryman was all-too-well prepared and countered one of them for a yuko.
Thirty-two year old Niiaz Bilalov finally has his first senior milestone medal. He has been very patient indeed, collecting results on the global senior circuit since 2014. What a feeling that must be.
Bronze medal contest: Tulkinbek Turdiev (UZB) vs Gennaro Pirelli (ITA)
The contest began with both competitors presenting dangers to the other and both chose to pull it back just enough to stay out of danger but that produced penalties and so they had to regroup and go again.
Down two penalties to one, Gennaro Pirelli made space for a neat ko-uchi-gari that put a yuko on the board. Things were not simple though as there was still a lot of time the clock and no room for further errors. Pirelli managed the time and space well, avoiding the third penalty despite the considerable pressure Tulkinbek Turdiev was placing on him.
The world number one had done enough and would be leaving Baku with his first senior world medal to add to an impressive growing collection of prizes.
Final (-100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-100 kg)
