+100 kg: Tasoev’s Third Title / IJF.org

On a day dominated by the unshakable Inal Tasoev, the real question may well have been, who would win the silver and bronze medals? Nothing is ever guaranteed but Tasoev arrived in Baku unwilling to accept anything other than ippon judo and perfect composure. The questions were therefore, who could disturb him, who could force him into error?

Final Inal Tasoev (RUS) vs Ushangi Kokauri (AZE)

Even a double world champion may have a mountain to climb to get past a man on home soil, and an experienced man to boot. Kokauri is also a double world medallist and arrived in the final block in excellent form.

Inal Tasoev (RUS) vs Ushangi Kokauri (AZE).

Strong gripping was inevitable from both judoka. Kokauri felt his crowd with him and pushed hard to deliver what they asked of him. He attacked with o-uchi-gari but Tasoev was too aware and stepped away, countering with perfect te-waza to score ippon. A third world championship gold was now his; this is an outstanding career already and with much more to come.

Tasoev (RUS) throws for ippon.

Inal Tasoev was forthright after his win, “I heard that everyone was against me in the arena and I understood, I respect that. They supported their athlete but it is my job to win here and my job is done now. This is why I came here, this is why I practised. The next goal is the Olympic title!”

Three times world champion Inal Tasoev (RUS).

Bronze medal contest: Lukas Krpalek (CZE) vs Martti Puumaleinen (FIN)

World and Olympic champion in two weight categories, Krpalek is a giant of the sport. At 35 he is still arriving in the final block of major events; a legend of world judo and a Czech hero.

Lukas Krpalek (CZE) holds Martti Puumaleinen (FIN) for ippon.

Against a fit and confident Puumaleinen, himself a European and World Judo Masters champion, Krpalek had no choice but to go all-in from the outset. He threw with a close-contact tomoe-nage for a waza-ari and then held the Finnish fighter down for ten seconds to secure the medal, the seventh of his long, impressive career.

A seventh world championship medal for Lukas Krpalek (CZE).

Bronze medal contest: Kanan Nasibov (AZE) vs Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE)

No-one would have expected anything other than a close contest from teammates both fighting for honour and a world medal on home soil. What ensued was a tactical battle that kept everyone guessing until the end.

Kanan Nasibov (AZE) vs Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE).

Eventually the contest was decided on penalties. Nasibov came out on top, benefiting from a lack of control and preparation in Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov’s attacks. Azerbaijan has had an outstanding championship, this medal, with Kokauri’s silver, taking the tally up to seven medals; incredible!

Kanan Nasibov take the bronze medal.

Final (+100 kg)

TASOEV Inal (RUS) vs KOKAURI Ushangi (AZE)

Bronze Medal Fights (+100 kg)

KRPALEK Lukas (CZE) vs PUUMALAINEN Martti (FIN)

NASIBOV Kanan (AZE) vs GAMZATKHANOV Dzhamal (AZE)

Medals, cheques and flowers presented by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Mr Farid Gayibov, Azerbaijan NOC Vice President Mr Chingiz Huseynzade and Executive Vice President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation Mr Rashad Rasullu.

Final Results (+100 kg)

1. TASOEV Inal (RUS)

2. KOKAURI Ushangi (AZE)

3. KRPALEK Lukas (CZE)

3. NASIBOV Kanan (AZE)

5. PUUMALAINEN Martti (FIN)

5. GAMZATKHANOV Dzhamal (AZE)

7. SPIJKERS Jur (NED)

7. ENDOVITSKII Valerii (RUS)