The Uzbek is the current world champion having won the title on home ground in Tashkent in October. The Czech superstar comes with a different timeline, as a double world champion, a title from each of two categories, -100kg in 2014 and +100kg in Tokyo in 2019. Of course, he has an Olympic title from each category too, really something special!
Just a few weeks ago we caught the news that Krpalek would be coming back to his origins at -100kg to return to competition in earnest after the Tokyo Games and some rest. Paris, however, decided that it was not his time.
After a bye in the first round he faced double European champion, world medallist and last year’s winner in Paris, Toma Nikiforov (BEL). In the opening stages of the match it seemed fairly even but at almost the halfway point Nikiforov turned in with a seoi-otoshi, tipping Krpalek on to his side momentarily, enough for the waza-ari. Unfortunately the angle of impact gave Krpalek a problem and he stood back up clearly uncomfortable. He attempted to continue for one more exchange but it wasn’t to be. He signalled to the referee and the contest was awarded to the Belgian. For Krpalek and for judo fans it’s not how a fight day should ever end but for a great champion it will only be an inconvenience. We hope to see Lukas back again soon.
The other world champion in the group, Turoboyev, made no mistakes and imposed himself from his place as the number 6 seed, throwing for ippon against Pavlovski (FRA) and Bettoni (BRA), the latter with a huge left uchi-mata.
His quarter-final began with the same confidence and Turoboyev threw Elnahas (CAN) for waza-ari. Shady Elnahas is not usually one to cower from a challenge and he kept coming forward, with the Uzbek withstanding the pressure. However, with 12 seconds of the fight left, Elnahas went back to basics and threw his grip around Turoboyev’s back, throwing him for ippon with a perfectly timed o-goshi.
Elsewhere, the number 1 seed, Michael Korrel (NED) forged a path through all obstacles, including a French quarter-final challenge. He continued past Nikiforov in the semi-final and looked set to win a confident gold. Kostoev (USE) was to be his adversary after he disposed of Kirbjeweit, Liparteliani and Veg (HUN) before throwing Kotsoiev (AZE) and then Elnahas.
In Paltchik (ISR) and Elnahas’ bronze medal contest, the Canadian put the first score on the board with a hip throw that lacked control and at the end even the grip was barely present. From that point on he became uncharacteristically cautious, no longer doing himself justice and Peter Paltchik capitalised on the moment and flew under Elnahas with a very fast seoi-otoshi to win by ippon.
Bronze medal number two went to Kotsoiev, who had found a second chink in Turoboyev’s armour, eliminating him in the repechage. For the metal he passed Nikiforov and completed a satisfying day.
The final was a scramble for the dominant grip, white and blue slugging it out for best position to attack from. There were attempts to throw but not much convinced us of impending victory and the contest leaned into the golden score period.
A minute info extra time Korrel turned in and at first it looked like Kostoev had defended well enough but waza-ari was awarded after video review and Korrel won his second Paris gold, a second for team Netherlands on this second day of the event. Kostoev saw his flag rise above the podium at the end of an excellent day, marked by his silver medal.
Final (-100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-100 kg)
